KARACHI, Dec 31: Favourites National Bank retained the team event crown in the All-Pakistan women’s badminton championship by inflicting 3-0 defeat on Sindh in the final at the Karachi Club on Wednesday.

Earlier, the two teams qualified for the title clash after winning their semi-finals in contrasting styles. While the bankers whipped Punjab 3-0, Sindh were stretched to the limits before overcoming a fighting Railways side 3-2.

Meanwhile, the top seeds have stormed into the singles pre quarter-finals. Top seed and defending champion Ayesha Akram of National Bank disposed off Sindh’s Yusra Waheed 21-8, 21-9, while her bank-mate and second seed Sara Khan downed Faryal 21-10, 21-4. No 3 seed Sara Momand, also of the NBP, got the better of Sama Asif 21-4, 21-13. The winners got the bye in first and second rounds.

Results:

Singles (first round):

Mahoor Shahzad (Sindh) bt Humaira (Sindh) – walkover; Mehreen Seher (Sindh) bt Hina (Sindh) 21-12, 21-18; Iqra (Sindh) bt Latifa (Balochistan) 21-17, 21-12; Sama Asif (Sindh) bt Shazia (Sindh) 21-7, 21-6; Nadia (Islamabad) bt Sunaina (Sindh) 21-12, 21-18; Faryal Shahzad (Sindh) bt Kauser (Islamabad) 21-5, 21-7; Naeema (Punjab) bt Maheesa (Sindh) 21-12, 21-13; Rabia (Sindh) bt Hira (Sindh) 21-17, 21-12; Warda (Sindh) bt Naheeda (Balochistan) 21-17, 21-15; Marina (Balochistan) bt Sana Gul Zaman (Sindh) 21-18, 21-9; Saima (Sindh) bt Ayesha (Sindh) – walkover; Saba (Punjab) bt Shaista (Sindh) 21-12, 21-16; Faryal (Islamabad) bt Saba (Sindh) 21-12, 21-18.

Second round:

Mahoor Shahzad (Sindh) bt Razia (Islamabad) 21-14, 21-18; Misbah (Balochistan) bt Naila Zaman (Sindh) 21-6, 21-7; Faryal Shahzad (Sindh) bt Nimra (Sindh) 21-10, 21-4; Amna (Islamabad) bt Marium (Sindh) 21-14, 21-19; Sobia (Sindh) bt Uzma (Balochistan) 21-8, 21-5; Saima (Sindh) bt Tahira (Balochistan) 21-9, 21-11; Anila (Railways) bt Warda (Sindh) 21-10, 21-14; Yasmeen (Railways) bt Aqila (Sindh) 21-10, 21-6; Hina (Sindh) bt Mona (Sindh) 21-13, 21-12; Zahida (Railways) bt Mehreen (Sindh) 21-6, 22-20.

Third round:

Sumaira (Railways) bt Marina (Balochistan) 21-6, 21-6; Mahoor (Sindh) bt Zahida (Railways) 21-9, 21-12; Monisha Kotia (Sindh) bt Mahoor (Sindh) 21-15, 21-16; Ayesha Akram (NBP) bt Yusra Waheed (Sindh) 21-8, 21-9; Sara Khan (NBP) bt Faryal (Sindh) 21-10, 21-4; Sara Momand (NBP) bt Sama Asif (Sindh) 21-4, 21-13.

Team event (quarter-finals):

Punjab bt Balochistan 3-0 (Naeema bt Marina Khan 21-7, 21-8; Naeema and Hira bt Marina and Misbah 21-10, 21-9; Hina bt Uzma 21-9, 21-4).

Sindh bt Islamabad 3-0 (Monisha Kotia bt Amna 21-4, 21-4; Monisha and Mehwish bt Amna and Razia 21-16, 21-12; Amna bt Razia 21-16, 21-19).

Semi-finals:

National Bank bt Punjab 3-0 (Ayesha Akram bt Naeema 21-5, 21-6; Ayesha and Sara Momand bt Naeema and Saba 21-6, 21-6; Sara Momand bt Hina 21-11, 21-5).

Sindh bt Railways 3-2 (Monisha Kotia bt Sumaira 21-17, 12-21, 21-18; Amna and Saba lost to Sumaira and Yasmeen 12-21, 18-21; Mehwish lost to Yasmeen 21-18, 18-21, 17-21; Monisha and Mehwish bt Aneela and Zahida 21-15, (retd); Amna Khan bt Anila 18-21, 21-16, 21-17).

Final:

National Bank bt Sindh 3-0 (Ayesha Akram bt Monisha Kotia 21-12, 21-15; Sara Momand and Sara Khan bt Amna and Monisha 21-10, 21-14; Sara Khan bt Faryal Shahzad 21-10, 21-8).

Thursday’s fixtures:

Matches begin at 11.00am.