KARACHI: A 2-2 draw between Higher Educa­tion Commission and SA Gardens on Thursday ensured Group ‘E’ of the National Challenge Cup will go down to the wire with the top two teams to be decided in the final round of matches.

With Wapda thrashing pointless Saif Textile 3-0 on Wednesday, the stalemate in Lahore meant SA Gardens joined the defending champions on nine points from five matches ahead of their showdown in the last round while HEC trail the duo by two points.

There could be final-day drama in Group ‘D’ as well after SA Farms crushed Klash Mills 6-0 in Faisalabad to keep alive their hopes of pipping Masha United, who lost 2-1 to Otto Cranes on Wednesday.

Otto Cranes are through with 11 points while Masha are a point a behind them and three ahead of SA Farms.

Ashraf Sugar Mills ended the Asia Ghee Mills’ perfect record in Group ‘C’ after a 2-1 win in Bahawalpur to stay in the running for second spot behind their opponents.

Ashraf Sugar Mills have seven points, one behind Pakistan Rail­ways, who beat Hussain Textile 1-0 on Wednesday. Ashraf Sugar Mills face Hussain Textile in the final round of matches while Railways play Asia Ghee Mills.

Group ‘G’ will also see its second qualifier decided in the final round after WSTC overcame Mamsons Builders 3-1 in Peshawar. WTSC moved to seven points, three clear of BHCC and Mamsons.

Pakistan Air Force have already locked top spot and have 13 points after their 3-0 win over BHCC on Wednesday.

Muslim Hands got their first win in Group ‘F’ after they beat Pakistan Ordna­nce Factories 5-3 in an inconsequential match with Khan Research Laboratories and Pakistan Army having already secured progression to the next round of the country’s premier cup football event.

KRL all but locked top spot with a 2-0 win over Army on Wednesday.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2023