KARACHI: The 31st Signature Pen National Scrabble Championship ended here on Tuesday with 15-year-old Hasham Hadi Khan maintaining his grip on the trophy throughout and winning the title for the first time after emerging winner in 21 of his 27 games.

As many as 44 of the top Pakistani players including the six current junior world champions took place in the championship with eight of the scheduled 27 games held at IBA Main Campus.

Seven times national champion and Pakistan No 1 Waseem Khatri made a remarkable recovery to end runners up by winning seven of his remaining games.

Danial Sanaullah, another promising player and elder brother of former champion Sohaib Sanaullah finished third.

Muhammad Inshal ended up 4th while Hasham Hadi’s twin sibling Hammad Hadi finished 5th.

Defending champion and Junior World champion of 2013 Moizullah Baig ended 8th.

Dr Shahid Qureshi Associate Professor and Program Director CED, IBA gave away the prizes.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2019