LAHORE, Dec 11: Islamabad and the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) sailed into the next round of the team’s event of the Amir Abdullah Khan Rokri National Ranking Badminton Tournament on the first day here on Monday.

Islamabad overcame a challenge from the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (Fata), winning 3-2. Nadeem gave Fata a good start thrashing Mansoor Ata in the first singles 21-9, 21-10.

Islamabad replied strongly through the duo of Wasim and Mansoor who won the doubles game against Islamabad’s Nadeem-Salman pair 21-18, 22-20.

Fata salvaged a 2-1 lead through Salman, who outclassed Imran 21-12, 21-9.

But it was last laugh of Fata, as Shoaib Naqvi and Imran made it 2-2, carving out a nail-biting win against Naz Akhtar and Akbar 21-18, 21-18, before wrapping up the final singles through Wasim, who outplayed Naz Akhtar 21-10, 21-9.

Meanwhile, the KPT trounced Punjab 3-1 to move into the second round.

Asadullah came out as the victor against Ahmad Nazar 21-16, 22-20 to give Punjab a perfect start. But the KPT staged a brilliant comeback, winning three matches in a row to earn a commendable win.

Asad with Tariq defeated Javed and Waqas 21-17, 21-12 to make it 1-1 for the KPT. Ali Mehdi put the KPT ahead (2-1), beating Javed 21-14, 21-17. The KPT bagged the contest when Iftikhar Ahmed and Anis-ur-Rehman powered their way to beat the Kashif-Danish pair 16-21, 21-16, 21-19.