KARACHI: Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and early pace-setters Karachi Electric Supply Company played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the standout game on Sunday.

In the other matches, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) defeated Afghan FC 2-1, Muslim FC overcame the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) by the same margin while Wohaib FC held Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to a goalless draw.

At the Railways Football Stadium in Lahore, the KRL took a 2-0 lead which the KESC overcame after a stirring six-minute comeback in the second-half.

“It was a thrilling game,” KRL coach Tariq Lutfi told Dawn. “The KESC are on top at the moment so it would’ve been great had we won but nevertheless it is an important point.”

Yasir Afridi opened the scoring for the KRL when he struck in the 28th minute before Hasnain Abbas doubled their lead in the 61st.

The goals sparked the KESC into action and they responded with Mohammad Rasool reducing the arrears in the 74th before rescuing a vital point for his side when he scored six minutes later.

The result meant the KESC went clear at the top of the PPFL table and they now have a one point advantage over National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) with 23 points from eleven games while the KRL have 16 points from eight games.

“Recently, we have suffered from a lot of injuries,” Lutfi said. “But it’s great that we’re still unbeaten and once our players return, we’ll be in a good position to mount a title challenge.”

Meanwhile, the PAF went to 15 points after Mansoor’s first-half brace helped them to a come-from-behind victory over Afghan FC at Peshawar’s PAF Complex.

Afghan FC stunned the hosts when Abdul Samad scored in the fourth minute of the game but Mansoor struck in the 19th and the 45th to secure victory for his side.

Muslim FC continued their fine form as Hayatullah’s double helped them down the ZTBL who had taken the lead through Izharullah at the Jinnah Football Stadium in Islamabad.The victory put Muslim FC ahead of the KRL in the points table and sent them to third place with 18 points from 11 games.