KARACHI, Aug 5: Title holder Shabbir Iqbal of Navy carded a six birdie 5-under 67 for an aggregate 9-under par 135 to emerge sole leader at the end of second round on the penultimate day of the 11th CNS Open Golf Championship at the Karachi Golf Club on Saturday.

Shabbir, the three-time winner, who was tied for top slot with Ansar Mehmood at 4-under par 68 on the opening day, leads by one stroke.

He fired birdies at holes 1, 2, 4, 11, 14, 17 and ended with a bogey at the 18 hole.

“The course was heavy in the morning and it required more power to hit the ball. The weather was also hot which affected my putting,” Shabbir told Dawn after the play.

Ansar Mehmood is following at the heels of Shabbir after playing a second round of 4-under par 68 for an aggregate of 8-under par 136.

Overnight leader Abrar Ahmed of KGC has maintained his lead in the amateur gross category. He played a second round of four over 76 for a total of five over 149 to earn a three stroke lead.

Jaudat Hashmi jumped to second slot by playing a round of five over 77 for a score of eight over 152.

Master Anser Karim of DHA won the juniors crown with a gross score of 85 in the 18-hole competition that featured nine entries.

Saadul Huda finished runners up with a total of 90.

The ladies title went to Nida Alibhai who scored 93 gross while Tahir Karamat bagged the veteran’s 65 plus title.

The three-day championship concludes on Sunday.

Leading second round scorers: (pro)

135- Shabbir Iqbal 68, 67

136- Ansar Mehmood 68, 68

139- Nadeem Inayat 71, 68

141- Afsar Ali 71, 70

142- Mohammad Siddique 72, 70; Waheed Balouch 71, 71; Irfan Mehmood 71, 71.

143- Shahid Javed Khan 75, 68; Imdad Hussain 70, 73

144- Nisar Hussain 75, 69; Mohammad Munir 73, 71; Mohammad Nazir 72, 72.