LAHORE, Dec 27: Three matches were decided on the opening day of the 27th National men’s basketball championship here at the Railways stadium courts on Thursday.

In the first match, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) beat Islamabad 91-29 before taking a 27-10 lead.

Adnan Khan (16), Omer Mahmood (10) and Ashfaq (10) were the key scorers for the bankers while Nasir Khalid (8) remained the only prominent scorer for the losing side.

In the second match, Higher Education Commission (HEC) defeated Pakistan Rangers 73-62 after taking an 18-13 lead at the breather.

The main scorers for HEC were Haris (26), Kashif (18) and Hameed (20). Naimatullah (26), Mohammad Ahmed and Nadeem Sattar with 12 points each were the main contributors for the losing side.

The last match between NWFP and Punjab Reds resulted in NWFP defeating Punjab Reds by a narrow 69-63 margin with Punjab Reds locking at 20-all in the first half. Rafiq (16) and Barkat and Gaffar with 10 points each led NWFP to victory. Meanwhile Khalid and Kashif (12 points apiece) and Fazli Omar (10) struggled for the losing side.

The organising secretary, Col Nasim Butt, announced full draws for the championship.

Friday’s fixtures:

Police vs Punjab Blues; Wapda vs PAF; Army vs AJK, Balochistan vs KESC; Railways vs Sindh; Police vs Islamabad.

Dec 29: Rangers vs FATA; Navy vs PAF; Army vs Punjab Reds, Islamabad vs Punjab Blues, Navy vs KESC; Punjab Reds vs AJK.

Dec 30: HEC vs Sindh; HBL vs POF; PAF vs Balochistan; Rangers vs Sindh; Railways vs FATA; POF vs Islamabad.

Dec 31: AJK vs NWFP; Wapda vs Navy; HBL vs Police; Wapda vs KESC; FATA vs Sindh; Navy vs Balochistan.

Jan 1: POA vs Punjab Blues; Army vs NWFP; PAF vs KESC; WAPDA vs Balochistan; POA vs Police; Railways vs Rangers; HEC vs FATA; HBL vs Punjab Blues.

Jan 2: Quarter-finals.

Jan 2: Semi-finals.

Jan 3: Third place match

Jan 4: Final