KARACHI: The age-old maxim, ‘One’s loss is another’s gain’, could perfectly describe Monday’s Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) action.

Leaders Karachi Electric Supply Company’s (KESC’s) 1-0 loss to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) meant that they relinquished top spot to the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) after Nasir Ismail’s charges overcame Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) by the same score-line.

The NBP now top the PPFL standings with 28 points from 15 games of the season with the KESC a point behind in second place but having a game in hand on the leaders. PAF’s victory meant that they closed in at the top and they have 24 points from 13 matches.

At the Jinnah Football Stadium in Islamabad, the game between the NBP and ZTBL seemed to be heading to a stalemate but three minutes from time, defender Misbah-ul-Hassan turned out to be an unlikely hero after he struck what proved to be the decisive winner in the game.

The KESC had to play virtually the whole game with 10 men after midfielder Wali Khan was given his marching orders as early as the fourth minute of their match at the PAF Complex in Peshawar.

PAF’s Mohammad Mujahid then scored the only goal of the game in the 15th as the KESC struggled to find a way back against a resolute PAF side who held on for a vital victory.

Meanwhile, fixtures in Punjab were postponed after heavy rains in the province. Wapda were due to face Pakistan Navy at Lahore’s Railways Football Stadium while PMC Athletico were hosting Baloch FC at the PMC Football Ground in Faisalabad. Both matches will now be played on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s fixtures: Wapda v Navy (Railways Football Stadium, Lahore); PMC Athletico v Baloch FC (PMC Football Ground, Faisalabad); Army v PIA (Army Stadium, Rawalpindi); KRL v Muslim FC (Railways Football Stadium, Lahore); Wohaib FC v Afghan FC (UMT Football Ground, Lahore).