KARACHI: Karachi District Malir Greens beat Karachi District South Greens 44-43 in a keenly contested group ‘D’ match to earn full points in the National Bank of Pakistan Cup basketball tournament which started at the Arambagh floodlit court on Thursday evening.

The winners enjoyed slender lead over their opponents in the first three quarters that helped them win despite losing the last quarter.

Ghazi Khan and Waleed were outstanding finishing in double figures with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Bilal contributed seven. Fazeel top-scored for the losers with 10 points followed by Adnan Ali, Asad Ali and Waqar Ahmed (eight apiece).

Earlier, Ali Raza’s brilliant 18 could not save his team District Malir Whites from losing to District Central 34-33 — barest of margins.

Saad Farooq (11), Saifullah (7) and Shehryar (4) were the main scorers for the winners. Besides Raza, Ali Zaidi contributed five for the losers.

In another match, District East Whites overwhelmed District West 49-18 in a one-sided match.

Hassan Khan shone for the winners with 17. He was ably assisted by Zia Ahmed (10).

Minister for Sports Azad Kashmir, Mohammad Saleem Butt, inaugurated the weeklong event. He was introduced to the two teams of the inaugural match.

Speaking on the occasion, he offered to play host to a three-match series between Sindh and Azad Kashmir teams on the occasion of Kashmir Day in February next.

Former players S.M. Tanveer, Mujahid, Sadiq Alvi, Abid Iftikhar Malhi, Mohammad Yaqoob, Malik Mutahir, Karachi Basketball Association president Amjad Ali and secretary Abdul Nasir were among others present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2014