KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) outclassed Pakistan Air Force (PAF) 5-2 in a match of the 59th National Hockey Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan here on Saturday.
The goals for the winners were scored by captain Mohammad Zubair (10th min), Kashif Ali (15th min), Muzzamil Bhatti (53rd min), Yasir Islam (61st min) and Shafqat Rasool (67th min).
Anees (33rd min) and Zeeshan (60th min) reduced the margin for the losing side.
The airliners are leading the points table with 19 points as they have won six matches, drew one and lost none out of the seven matches played so far.
Army is at second place with 18 points and Wapda third with 13 points.
In the other matches of the day, Army, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Navy earned victories.
Despite Umar Bhutta’s brilliant hat-trick, Army beat National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) 4-3.
Habib ur Rahman (23rd min), Mohammad Kashif (40th min) and two goals from captain Mohammad Imran (52nd and 60th mins) completed the tally for Army.
Umar Bhutta scored all the three goals for NBP in the ninth, 32nd and 44th minutes.
SSGC thrashed Port Qasim Authority (PQA) 4-1.
The goals for SSGC were scored by Shakeel Abbasi (10th min), Shabbir Ahmed Khan (21st min), Zeeshan Bukhari (31st min) and Arsalan Haider (58th min).
PQA’s consolation goal was scored by Ali Azlan (68th min).
Navy edged out Habib Bank Limited (HBL) 1-0 with the decider coming from Mohammad Sabir in the 15th minute.
Sunday is a rest day in the championship.
Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.