LAHORE, Oct 12: The 26th game of Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) saw Pak Elektron Limited (PEL) coming back into the game through a penalty-kick to draw 1-1 with Wapda at the lush Railway Stadium, Lahore, on Sunday. It was first leg between two Lahore-based teams that failed to live up to expectations.Holders Wapda have so far managed 18 points after 12 matches while PEL secured 17 from 14 games. The second leg between the two outfits will be played at the same venue on Saturday.PEL, playing their first-ever National A-Div League, opened the proceedings in fine style but their strikers Asmatullah and Din Badshah failed to beat keeper Abdul Aziz in the 13th and 15th minute. Wapda took time to settle with Arif Mehmood, scorer of Pakistan’s goal in their 1-4 defeat against Malaysia on Friday, taking back the captain’s arm band from Mohammad Shahid.

Wapda’s relentless surges earned them the opener in the 23rd minute. Midfielder Ghulam Mustafa curled the free-kick from the right corner. PEL’s keeper Mujahid Sarfraz mistimed his jump and Imran Niazi made amends for his earlier mistake by looping a header into the empty net.

But their joy was short-lived as PEL drew level. Wapda’s central defender Mohammad Ishfaq handled the ball inside the area and FIFA Referee Asif bin Younus immediately pointed to the spot. Mohammad Rashid beat the keeper from 11 metres with a powerful drive on his right to make the score 1-1.The 61st minute of the second session saw Asif showing the yellow card to PEL’s winger Amir Hamza for breaking rules regarding warm-up behind the goal-line. It was the first such incident in the current league and everyone praised Asif’s decision. Hamza was earlier given the warning by the fourth official Rauf Bari.

Monday’s fixtures: National Bank of Pakistan v Afghan FC (Korangi Baloch Stadium, Karachi, at 4.00pm), Pak Steel v Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (Pak Steel Township Ground, Karachi, at 4.00pm), Habib Bank Limited v Karachi Port Trust (Peoples Stadium, Karachi, at 4.00pm).—Agencies