KARACHI, Aug 1: Asghar Ali’s second half effort gave NBP a close 2-1 triumph over Zico Sports in the All-Pakistan invitation football tournament at Baloch Mujahid Stadium Thursday.

The bankers opened their account through Nasir Ismail in the 16th minute, while Waseem Guddoo put the match on an even keel in the 38th minute.

Asghar saved NBP’s blushes with a 64th minute goal.

Askani Brothers mauled hapless Lucky Men 5-2, scoring thrice before the breather in another match.

Abdul Samad shocked the rivals providing a 10th-minute lead to Askani Brothers. But Mohammad Saeed levelled the scores barely two minutes later.

Askani Brothers went 3-1 ahead within nine minutes when Bhutto Shah Murad (24th minute), and Samad (35th minute) found the target.

Bhutto again came into action in the 68th minute, Lucky Men fought back with a Mohammad Nawaz two minutes later. Askani Brothers’ Rashid Ali wrapped up the proceedings with a goal in the 72nd minute.

Earlier Wednesday, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) clobbered Tanzeem Sports 6-2. KPT went on rampage in the first half, hammering in four goals, the first one coming in the 5th minute from Mohammad Ameen.

Three more goals came within a span of ten minutes to give KPT a 4-0 lead. Ghulam Farooq’s 25th-minute goal was followed by two more by Lal Bukhsh (27th minute) and Ameen (35th minute).

KPT’s onslaught continued yet in the second session as Fareed Majeed scored in the 58th minute, while Farooq scored in the 62nd minute.

Tanzeem Sports got their consolation in 75th minute when Abdul Aziz found the cage, while Khair Mohammad converted a 82nd-minute penalty.