KARACHI: The formidable Bounce Club opened the year on a winning note while overcome fighting Nishtar Club 58-53 in the keenly fought final of the Kashmir Day basketball tournament played at the Arambagh floodlit court on Thursday evening.

Both the finalists produced quality game and delighted the crowd with their skills and shots including the three-pointers.

The winners had set their sight on the title right from the word go as they led 13-8 and 15-9 against their opponents in the first and second quarters for an overall lead of 28-17 at half time.

The losers retaliated in the last two quarters and won by slender margin but it vain.

Despite conceding the last two quarters 12-16 and 18-20, Bounce Club maintained their ascendancy.

M. Atif starred for the Bounce Club with an efficient score of 27, including five three-pointers that earned him applause from the sizeable crowd..

The duo of Shahmir and Zia Ahmed followed in the footsteps of Atif and finished with 14 and 10 respectively.

Talah Amjad, as usual, turned out to be the main architect of his team with a rich haul of 19 which included two three-pointers. He was followed by Ali Chanzeb 17 and Asad Ali 13.

It is pertinent to mention that the Kashmir Cup basketball tournament was the brainchild of the Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBF) president the late retired Brig Rashid Ali Malik and the inaugural all-Pakistan event took place at the YMCA decades back.

The Karachi Basketball Association, which is headed by Ghulam Mohammad, had carried forward the legacy of the deceased.

The prize distribution ceremony was followed by fireworks.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2018