KARACHI: Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) proved all over again why they are the best side in Pakistan.

The defending champions produced a stunning second-half performance to put closest rivals Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) out of the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) title race with a 3-0 victory here on Wednesday.

Second-half substitute Mohammad Abid Khan scored with two pinpoint headers either side of Kaleemullah’s deft finish as KESC, missing their inspirational captain Mohammad Essa, struggled to get back in the game at the KPT Football Stadium.

Inarguably the biggest clash of the season, the top two did not disappoint as both sides played some spectacular football.

But KESC’s hopes of overhauling KRL at the top of the table were given a reality check as the leaders moved six points clear at the top while they also have two games in hand over their closest challengers.

KRL moved to 62 points from 25 games with KESC on 56 from 27, leaving head coach Hasan Baloch to concede that the title race was as good as over.

“KRL were too good,” a disappointed Hasan Baloch said after the game. “They have fantastic bench strength but we didn’t have enough time to recover from out last game [against PIA on Monday] and it cost us.

“Essa couldn’t feature due to injury and it didn’t help as we couldn’t get a foothold in midfield.”

The defeat left Hasan’s side in a four-way battle for second place with Pakistan Air Force (53 points from 27 matches), Muslim FC (53 from 27) and Pakistan Army (51 from 25).

“The battle is for second spot now,” Hasan Baloch added. “We’ll have to fight to keep it.”

The last time the two sides met at the KPT Stadium was in the final of the National Challenge Cup in March last year where KRL triumphed on penalties after the game finished goalless after extra-time.

But this time around both sides went on the attack from the onset in front of a thin crowd which was largely supporting KESC.

KESC’s main source of attacking play in the first-half came from the right where Akbar was causing KRL all sort of problems as he got behind their defenders but failed to deliver the decisive ball.

KRL deployed left winger Mohammad Adil on the right and he combined well with right-back Ehsan to set up the free-scoring Kaleemullah for the first real chance of the game but his shot crashed against the bar.

In the 12th minute, KRL came close again to breaking the deadlock but Saddam Hussain also hit the bar.

But KESC came back strongly and KRL were thankful to captain Samar Ishaq for keeping the score 0-0 as he made some crucial interceptions as KESC looked to send in crosses to their ace marksman Mohammad Rasool.

Towards the end of the first-half, Ehsan nearly caught out the KESC goalkeeper when his cross-cum-shot nearly crept in and from the resulting corner, Samar headed just wide.

KESC started the second-half stronger and the first chance fell to them but Rasool shot wide and high from an acute angle.

However, KRL brought in midfield lynchpin Mehmood Khan along with Abid and it changed the complexion of the game as Mehmood started to create gaps with his passing and movement before drawing the free-kick that led to their opener.

Adil whipped in a sensational ball from the left and Abid ghosted past the KESC defenders to head in at the far-post in the 55th.

KESC, however, refused to lie down and came back strongly with Rasool marginally off-side as he was sent clear before Akbar tried to score with a back-heel that didn’t come off.

But KRL had too much firepower in the end as Kaleemullah played a delightful one-two with Mehmood to rip apart KESC’s defence before producing the coolest of finishes to put his side 2-0 up in the 82nd.

The third didn’t take long to arrive and Mehmood was the provider again with a floating cross from the left as Abid arrived at the far post for an emphatic headed finish in the 86th.

KRL could have added two more in injury time with Kaleemullah shooting straight at the keeper before having a header saved off the line.

Victory left KRL within touching distance of their second straight title and their manager Tariq Lutfi was a happy man.

“It was a great performance,” Lutfi said after the game. “KESC gave us a good fight but we fought well and now just a win and a draw separate us from the title.”

On his inspired substitutions, Lutfi said: “Abid is very good on the right side of the park and he is a very good header of the ball. We were already playing well on the right side and he gave us an added edge while Mehmood makes a real difference when he’s on the field.”

Elsewhere in Chaman, Muslim FC were awarded a walkover against relegated Wohaib FC after the later failed to turn up for their game at the Government High School Ground.

Thursday’s fixtures: Afghan FC v PMC Athletico (Govt High School Ground, Chaman); Baloch FC v ZTBL (Noushki Football Stadium, Noushki).