KARACHI, Aug 9: Shafqat Rasool’s hat trick helped Customs cruise into All-Pakistan Governor’s Gold Cup hockey quarterfinals after a 4-1 victory over KESC at Hockey Club of Pakistan on Tuesday.

The winners got off to a flying start with a Mohammad Haroon strike in the 17th minute before Shafqat slotted home his first in the 33rd minute and then netted the second a minute later.

Hapless KESC got the consolation goal through Adeel Hussain in the 48th minute, while Shafqat wrapped up the proceedings with his third two minutes before time.

Customs were reduced to ten players after Naeem Ahmad was sent off temporarily in the 59th minute.

PTCL also reached last eight although a late Mohammad Nadeem equaliser for National Bank (NBP) helped the bankers force a 2-2 draw.

The bankers, who have also qualified for the quarterfinals started with a Nadeem goal through a penalty corner in the 14th minute.

NBP could have scored the second in the 21st minute but a Haseem Khan reverse hit was saved by PTCL goalkeeper Khurram Majeed.

On the other end, PTCL mounted pressure and grabbed equaliser in the 29th minute when Mohammad Zubair scored with spectacular reverse flick beating NBP goalkeeper Fasihur Rahman.

PTCL went 2-1 up two minutes before going for lemons as Irfan Aslam’s low carpet push surprised Fasih and the defenders.

Irfan’s rising effort was effectively taken by Fasih a 40th-minute short corner, while Zubair’s hit went across the goal.

PTCL once again missed a sitter in the 58th minute when Shahzad Nasir hit the side-netting although he had ample time and Fasih was beaten.

After struggling against young PTCL side, the bankers were finally rescued when Nadeem struck his second four minutes before final whistle, again on a penalty corner.

PIA were stunned 1-0 by Steel Mills who also made it to the last eight.

After remaining goalless, Steel Mills netted the match-winner when Naseer Ahmad slammed home past PIA goalkeeper Ahmad Alam whose start-studded side had no less than five Olympians.

PIA’s Abu Bakar and Steel Mills’ Liaquat Ali were shown yellow cards in the 65th minute, while Inamur Rahman of the national carriers was suspended temporarily in the 27th minute minute.

PIA, Steel Mills, Pakistan Navy, Customs, PTCL, NBP, Habib Bank and SSGC will be in action in the quarterfinals.

Wednesday’s fixtures (quarterfinals):

Steel Mills v HBL at 3.00pm; SSGC v PIA at 5.00pm.