KARACHI, March 8 Karachi Port Trust (KPT) won the PFF Cup Football Championship with a well-earned 2-1 win in the final over National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) at the Benazir Sports Complex ground here on Sunday.

Mohammad bin Younus and Zahid Ahmed of KPT edged out their opponents by hitting precious second half goals.The all-Karachi final between the two star-studded teams saw a dull, drab first half that produced no goal. KPT only took command in the 60th minute when Mohammad took a return pass from Zahid Ahmed to slice the ball in on the second attempt after it ricocheted off keeper Amir Gul.

NBP forced a golden opportunity to hit an equaliser when Faraz Anwar's handball infringement turned into a spot-kick in the 69th minute but to the big frustration of NBP fans, their skipper Abdul Aziz sent the ball over the bar.

KPT consolidated the lead in the 79th minute through Zahid Ahmed who cut in from the left wing to slam the ball past Gul's right hand. NBP pulled one back in the 82nd minute when Farooq Shah's lob on a free-kick left keeper Sajid Hussain stranded.

Sindh Sports Minister Dr Mohammad Ali Shah and KPT Chairperson Nasreen Haque distributed the prizes. Apart from lifting the winner's trophy, KPT also received Rs200,000 while NBP had to be content with silver medals and Rs100,000. Hot favourites KRL failed to complete a treble but their 8-0 win over Balochistan on Saturday earned them bronze medals and Rs50,000.

As a gesture of good sportsmanship, Balochistan was presented with the Fair Play Trophy.

KPT's winger Zafar Majeed was adjudged Most Valuable Player (MVP).

He pocketed Rs10,000 while leading marksman Safiullah Khan (KRL, 9 goals) and best goal-keeper Amir Gul (NBP) took Rs10,000 each.

The awards of Best Referee (Rs20,000) and Best Assistant Referee (Rs10,000) went to Rana Naseer Ahmed and Abdul Aziz, respectively. —APP