KARACHI, July 1: Defending champion and six time winner, Shabbir Iqbal, played a good second round of two under par 70 for an aggregate of 139 to surge on top in the 72-hole pros category of 16th CNS Open Golf Championship at the Karachi Golf Club on Friday.

The 34-year-old Shabbir of Navy, who was laying second at the end of first round, scored six birdies and played eight pars to grab top position on the leader board.

Overnight leader Matloob Ahmed of Lahore Gymkhana, who played first round of six under 66, was off colour and played second round of six over 78 to slip joint fourth with a par score of 144.

Shafiq Masih, who is representing Lahore Gymkhana, leaped to second place after he played consistent second round of one under 71 for a score of 142.

Two-time former champion Mohammad Munir of Islamabad, who was disqualified on account of submitting wrong score last year, had a dismal run so far and is laying joint ninth with Shehzad Mushtaq of the KGC.

Munir, who played five over 77 in the first round, shot one over 73 in the second for a total of 150.

Meanwhile, a cut was applied in the pros at 46 who will be vying for honours in the next two rounds.

Sajid Khan of the Arabian Sea Country Club (ASCC) is leading the field in the 72-hole amateurs’ event which is being held concurrently.

Sajid, who fired two over 74 the other day, played a par second round for a score of 146.

Nine strokes behind on his heels is promising Mubariz Ahmed who played five over 77 in the second round. He played six over 78 the other day.

Ace golfer Ali Hai is not defending his crown.

Besides pros and amateurs, senior pros, senior amateurs, juniors class ‘A’ and ‘B’ and ladies will tee-off on Saturday.

Pros: Leader board on second day 139 — (69, 70) Shabbir Iqbal (PN) 142 — (71, 71) Shafiq Masih (Gymkhana) 143 — (71, 72) Waheed Baloch (KGC) 144 — (72, 72) Mohammad Akram (Gymkhana); (72, 72) Talib Hussain (Islamabad); (66, 78) Matloob Ahmed (Gymkhana) 145 — (73, 72) Mohammad Tariq (Islamabad); (71, 74) Afsar Ali (KGC)