Railways, PTCL enter semifinals

Published June 17, 2003

LAHORE, June 16: Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Limited (PTCL) and Railways entered the last four on the opening day of the  sixth All-Pakistan Ameer Abdullah Khan Rokri memorial ranking badminton tournament at the New Khan Sports Hall on Monday.

Wapda the reigning champions and host New Khan , last year’s runners up have already qualified for the semifinals.

The first semifinal between PTCL and New Khan was in progress when this report was filed.

PTCL defeated Punjab 3-1 in the first quarterfinal.

PTCL’s Arshad defeated Khalid 15-9, 15-11, 15-11. Punjab levelled the score when their Irfan and Intikhab outplayed Ashraf and Rizwan Azam in the doubles 15-9, 15-10.

PTCL proved their supremacy in the remaining two matches to complete an impressive win. Ashraf Masih toppled Ijaz 15-6, 15-7 to give PTCL 2-1 lead.

In the second doubles, Arshad and Akram beat of Shahzad and Ijaz 15- 10, 15-9.

PTCL will face New Khan in the semifinal.

Later, Railways defeated NWFP 3-0 to enter the semifinals.

Bilal defeated Irfan Afridi 15-8, 15-11.

Atif beat Hayat 15-10, 15-2.

In the doubles, Akhtar and Naved outclassed Murad and Nadeem 15-2, 15-2.

Results: PTCL beat Punjab 3-1: Arshad (PTCL) beat Khalid (Punjab) 15-9, 15-11, 15-11; Irfan and Intikhab (Punjab) bt Ashraf and Rizwan Azam (PTCL) 15-9, 15-10;

Ashraf Masih (PTCL) bt Ajaz (Punjab) 15-7, 15-6; Arshad and Akram (PTCL) bt Shahzad and Ijaz (Punjab) 15-9, 15-10.

Railways bt NWFP 3-0: Atif bt Hayat 15-10, 15-2; Balal bt Irfan Afridi 15-11, 15-8; Akhtar-Naved bt Murad-Nadeem 15-2, 15-2.