KARACHI, Nov 3: Allied Bank Limited (ABL) added another silverware to their collection when they regained President PFF Cup football championship crown after a thrilling 4-2 penalty shootout against Wapda Sunday.

The victorious bankers won the title for the fourth time after a space of two years. They had bagged the trophy in 1996, 1998 and 1999 before losing it 1-0 against Pakistan Army in 2000.

ABL skipper Haroon Yousuf received the glittering golden trophy along with cash prize of Rs25,000. His side became richer when their department gave them a surprize cash purse of Rs100,000.

Wapda, the national champions, got the runners-up trophy and Rs15,000 in front of some 10,000 crowd at People’s Sports Complex.

Both the sides were confronted with the game of alternate penalties after they failed to break the 1-1 deadlock during the 90 minutes of play in the final.

Wapda’s Mohammad Niaz rattled the bar and Dilshad Ali shot wide off the target, while ABL’s Zahid Rafiq, Amir Khan, Ashfaq Ahmad, and Haroon were on target with their spot kicks past stand-in goalkeeper Luqman Rasheed.

Only Agha Raza and Jamshaid Anwar found the cage from Wapda.

ABL, despite missing their inspirational striker Gohar Zaman, nursing his shin bone fracture, got off to a flier when Mohammad Ejaz scored what was one of the most spectacular goals of the tournament.

Ejaz moved imperiously and ended his advance down the right with a right-foot 25-yard low wicked drive that beat bemused Wapda goalkeeper Asadullah all ends up in the 20th minute.

Wapda too were on the attack five minutes later, but Zia-ul- Hassan reached well on time to block Zakir Hussain’s effort. Khuda Bukhsh came close to equalise but missed the opportunity in the 34th minute.

Ashfaq, Pakistan junior skipper, who had twice rescued his side with a golden goal and a winner against KPT and KESC respectively, looked dangerous in the 36th minute with a lofty drive which went above the bar.

Wapda, like their opposition, too had several internationals, were forcing the bankers to work up a sweat with their dribbling runs late into the first half.

Pakistan striker Zaheer Abbas breezed past the ABL defence to release a sweeping cross for Khuda Bukhsh who squandered the gilt-edged chance from goalmouth in the 42nd minute.

There was more action from both sides after the breather as second period saw Wapda getting what they were look for — an equaliser — which finally came three minutes after re-start.

Zulfiqar Ahmad was a constant threat to the bankers with his long-range efforts just from the edge of the box that kept on tormenting ABL defenders.

Wapda struck back with an equaliser that was neatly fashioned and wrapped up with a decisive finish by Zulfiqar whose 25-yard bullet of a drive flew off stunned ABL goalkeeper Noman’s hands.

Zia and Zulfiqar were yellow carded for rough play in the 50th minute that saw former laying on the ground.

Ejaz could have pulled another when he was set up by experienced Amjad Zikria but lobbed the ball above the crossbar in the 64th minute.

Disciplined ABL defenders became exposed to the perils of panic as Zulfiqar caught them napping in the 70th minute with his distinctive long-range try that cannoned off the post.

Seconds later, Wapda’s injured goalie Asad was replaced by Luqman who also manned the goal during the penalties.

Still in quest of the elusive winner, Wapda launched their last foray into the ABL half in the 87th minute with substitute Mohammad Arif slamming from 14 yards outside only to see Noman produced a fine save.

ABL: Noman Ibrahim, Zahid Rafiq, Haroon Yousuf, Zia-ul-Hassan, Amir Khan, Bahadar Khan, Mohammad Owais, Ashfaq Ahmad, Mohammad Ejaz, Bashir Ahmad, Mohammad Shahbaz, Mohammad Asadullah.