KARACHI, Aug 13: Star-studded PIA crashed to a 1-3 defeat on penalty shootout as goalkeeper Farhan Nasir produced two fine saves to help underdogs Steel Mills cruise into All-Pakistan Governor’s Gold Cup hockey final on Saturday. The game was decided on penalty strokes as both sides were locked at 3-3 in the stipulated time and extra time of the first semifinal at Hockey Club of Pakistan.

Although the start by PIA was confident, they failed later despite a hat trick by Kamran Ashraf, Steel Mills giving them a tough time.

The national carriers were the first to take the lead through Kamran in the third minute. PIA were reduced to ten players when Mohammad Irfan was shown yellow card in the 20th minute. Steel Mills equalised when Naseer Ahmad was on target in the 25th minute.

Steel Mills gave a big fright to PIA as they went 2-1 up with Waqas Akbar slotting home past former Pakistan goalkeeper Ahmad Alam in the 40th minute.

Steel Mills almost knocked the life out of PIA five minutes later when they scored their third through a Liaquat Ali penalty corner conversion past Ahmad and PIA defenders.

Facing two goal deficit, PIA, having services of Malik Shafqat, Mohammad Usman, Rahim Khan, Kamran and Ahmad struggled to reduce the margin, Kamran scoring his second in the 52nd minute. Kamran completed his hat trick four minutes later.

While the two sides could not break the stalemate in the overtime, Imran of PIA and Zaheer Ahmad of Steel Mills were suspended temporarily in the 79th minute.

Mukhtar was the only PIA player who could convert during the penalty stroke session, Imran missed the target, while Steel Mills goalkeeper Farhan saved Abu Bakar and Mohammad Irfan efforts.

Kashif Ali, Kamran Ahmad and Rashid Imran were on target for Steel Mills, while Liaquat Ali’s push was too slow to reach the target and too easy for PIA goalie Ahmad to stop.

Two-goal Haseem Khan powered National Bank (NBP) into the final after a 2-1 victory over tough-tackling Customs in the other semifinal.

The bankers started aggressively but could not open the account as Haseem failed to connect a Naeem Akbar’s pass in the sixth minute.

NBP received a rude shock when Naeem Ahmad of Customs cashed-in on a defensive lapse to slam home from the top of the circle seven minutes later.

Customs might have gone ahead in the 21st minute had Shafqat Rasool not missed the golden opportunity with a wild hit off a Shafqat pass. Mazhar Ali also wasted a promising opening for Customs with a reckless hit three minutes later.

It was in the 25th minute that Customs players surrounded umpire Mohsin Ali protesting over a decision in which Asim Shafi was sent off temporarily.

The game resumed and NBP took full advantage Asim’s absence as Haseem scored with a rising hit that gave Customs goalkeeper Imran Shah no chance in the 27th minute.

The bankers finally grabbed the lead again through Haseem off a short corner.