KARACHI, Oct 30: Rank outsiders KESC barged into the semifinals after they sank Pakistan Navy in the President PFF Cup football championship courtesy of a Aurangzaib golden goal Wednesday.

ABL had a narrow escape as they battled to manage a close 1-0 victory over a plucky PTCL to complete the semifinals line-up at People’s Sports Complex.

Wapda will be facing HBL Thursday in the first semifinal at 3.30pm, while ABL meet the surprise package KESC Friday in the second last four match.

KESC, who held formidable ABL 0-0 earlier in a league match before notching up a thumping 4-0 win over Afghan Agency Chaman in the second phase tie, were worthy winners against the sailors.

Navy’s unbeaten run was finally ended by an unstoppable header from Aurangzaib after Lal Mohammad sent over a perfect cross 13 minutes into extra time.

The stipulated time ended without score as several attempts from both the sides could not break the deadlock.

Aurangzaib and Lal Mohammad were active from the outset, while Navy’s Basharat Jr and Mohammad Ramzan were busy making their way into the KESC half.

KESC, beefed up after drafting few former Karachi Port Trust players, although could not score in the second half, prevented Navy from going ahead.

Aurangzaib finally got through a header what his side was looking for when the game was extended into the extra time.

In a match which PTCL lost despite several open chances, went 1-0 down as Mohammad Ejaz scored with a perfectly placed flying header following a Amir Khan cross on 32 minutes.

Studded with some Pakistan players, PTCL also retaliated in the dying moments of the first session but Shahid Ahmad’s header was wide off the target.

The bankers, badly missing their injured key player, Gohar Zaman, a prolific Pakistan striker, came under heavy attacks after the resumption which kept the defenders on their toes.

Saleem Butt could have scored a spectacular goal in the 52nd minute, but bankers heaved a sigh of relief when his overhead kick from the area missed the target.

Mohammad Essa, another Pakistan striker who was brilliant at the Under-20 Asian championship qualifiers earlier this year here, shot a lofty drive, ABL goalkeeper Noman Ibrahim produced a stupendous save, tipping the ball for safety in the 73rd minute.

Saleem received yellow after some rough tackle in the 76th minute.

PTCL pinned the bankers in their own half under a battery of attacks and it was only in the 85th minute that ABL in a breakaway raid squandered what was the easiest opportunity which they didn’t get again in the game.

Pakistan skipper Haroon Yousuf jinked his way goalwards, with a swerve and dummy wrong-footed his two markers, before squaring a pinpoint cross. But perfectly-positioned Ejaz shot wide with a gaping goal to aim at.

Within seconds ABL’s Mohammad Asadullah was shown yellow for a vicious tackle on a PTCL player.

PTCL kept on fighting hard yet into the injury time which was surprisingly full 13 minutes, but a move between Essa and Zahid Hameed was thwarted by the ABL defenders.

Thursday’s fixture (semifinal): Wapda v HBL at 3.30pm.