PESHAWAR, July 16: Holders Peshawar and Kohat-A advanced to next round after securing victories on the opening day of the All-Pakistan Ajab Khan Afridi basketball tournament at Signal ground, Kohat on Saturday.

Mangla (Wapda), Bannu and Peshawar in Pool ‘A’; Charsadda, Kohat-A, Cavalry (Army) in Pool ‘B’; Dara Adam Khail, Chakwal and Kohat-B in Pool ‘C’ will vie for the top honours.

Peshawar stunned Bannu 63-54 in a closely-fought encounter. They led 37-35 till the end of first-half, but had to fight for each single point.

Front-striker Muhammad Naseem contributed 27 individual points including four three pointer. Zia (16), Lawangeen (6), Tashfeen (5), Qadar (4) and Farid (4) also played well for the winners.

For the losers, Adnan scored 19 individual baskets with three, three pointer, with help from Waheed (14), Jalal (12) and Sanatullah (8).

In the other match, Kohat-A easily overcame Charsadda 95-55. Striker Ihsan was the pick of the pack as he converted 37 individual baskets with six three pointers.

Naeem scored 12 individual points while Yaseen and Badar made eight points each.

Jan-e-Alam scored 16 points with two three pointers while Asif made 10, Iltaf 10, and Momin Khan 8 for the losers.—APP