KARACHI: Khan Research Laboratories and Pak-Afghan Clearing Agency continued their winning start at the National Challenge Cup, getting their second wins in as many games on Saturday.

KRL, the tournament’s most successful side with six titles, edged Muslim Hands 1-0 thanks to Iftikhar Ali’s winner five minutes into stoppage time at Rawalpindi’s Municipal Football Stadium to take control of Group ‘F’.

PACA did the same in Group ‘B’, with a 3-0 win over Milo Shaheed Trust as Yar Mohammad scored in each half after Sharaf’s 16th-minute opener at the Ayub Stadium in Quetta.

Masha United though couldn’t extend their winning start in Group ‘D’ as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Otto Cranes in Faisalabad while defending champions Wapda stumbled to their second straight stalemate in Group ‘E’; Faisal scoring in the 86th minute to secure a 1-1 draw against SA Gardens in Lahore.

Pakistan Railways also drew for the second straight game in Group ‘C’, their match against Hussain Tax ending goalless but Mamsons Builders got their first win in Group ‘G’ as they beat WSTC 2-1 at Peshawar’s Tehmas Khan Stadium.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2023