PPFL. -File photo/White Star

KARACHI: Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) gave away two penalties as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) held them to a second straight draw to dent their Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) title chances here on Monday.

Having drawn with PIA 1-1 on Saturday, KESC were looking to improve on that showing but the 2-2 draw here at the Korangi Baloch Football Stadium seriously damaged their chances of catching leaders Khan Research Laboratories (KRL).

Defending champions KRL have 59 points from 24 games while KESC are three points behind having played three games more than the leaders after they surrendered a 2-0 lead on Monday.

Deep-lying playmaker Mohammad Riaz inspired KESC with two goals in the first 13 minutes but they fell apart after that as PIA came back in the game with two goals from the penalty spot in each half.

Abdul Ghaffar reduced the arrears in the 25th minute, calmly slotting the ball home before Zeeshan Ali made no mistake to haul PIA level in the 57th before valiant defending by PIA’s Abdul Jabbar Sr meant the match ended in a stalemate as the airmen moved to 32 points.

Tuesday’s fixtures:

HBL v Army (People’s Football Stadium, Karachi); NBP v Wapda (KPT Football Stadium, Karachi).

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