KARACHI, June 12: Pakistan women’s bridge team created history on Tuesday night when they beat favorites India 94-53 in Ahmedabad to win the first ever 17th Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle East (BFAME) for their country.

Rubina Agha-led Pakistan team put up another sterling show by whipping the experienced Indian team and qualifying for the Venice Cup, to be held in Bali, (Indonesia) in September.

According to the details made available by the Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (SMAP) on Wednesday, it was a tremendous show by the Pakistan women’s team which includes Roshan Ara Bokhari, Zeenat Azwer and a family trio representing three generations including grandmother Qudsia Doosa, daughter Rubina Hai and grand-daughter Fatima Raza.

The Pakistan team, enjoying the carryover advantage of eight Victory Points (VPs) won both their segments in the final.

In the opening segment they beat India 49-28 and then chalked out an impressive 37-25 triumph in the second segment.

The national women’s team dominated the 32-board final against a strong India team comprising Hema Deora, Marianne Karmarkar, Rita Choski, Bharati Dey, Tutu Narula and Asha Surana.

By virtue of their win, the Pakistan team also grabbed the Vinodini Goenka Trophy.

India won the open title by defeating Bahrain 117-56 International Match Points while India also won the Seniors Cup. The two finalists of the Open event — India and Bahrain — also qualified for the Bermuda Bowl, scheduled to be held in Indonesia.

Former presidents of the Pakistan Bridge Federation Khurshid Hadi and Tariq Rasheed Khan congratulated the Pakistan women’s team for their great achievement against arch-rivals India. “It is a historic moment indeed and a huge boost for bridge in the country,” said Tariq Rasheed.

The Pakistan team will be returning to Karachi on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Open and Seniors squad failed to put up a noteworthy performance in the BFAME championship.—APP