LAHORE, July 30 Port Qasim Authority (PQA) and Habib Bank Limited (HBL) moved into the final of the 2nd NBP Gold Cup Hockey Tournament at the National Hockey Stadium here on Thursday.

A fine field goal in the 60th minute by Rashid Ahmed helped PQA to edge out National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) 3-2 in the first semi-final.

The score at the end of the first half was one-all. NBP took the lead first through Akhtar Ali, who banged home in the 11th minute, crowning a field attempt. The winners scored the equaliser in the 34th minute with Khalid Bhatti cashing in on a penalty-corner.

PQA earned a 2-1 lead after resumption of play when Awais Khan found the cage in the 44th minute through a field attempt. But the lead was short-lived as Akhtar Ali fired his second goal for the bankers only two minutes later to make it 2-2 before Rashid scored a classic field goal that proved to be the winner.

PQA had also qualified for the final after beating NBP last year but the all-important match was lost to PIA.

In the second semi-final, HBL defeated Army 2-1.

The final will be played on Friday.