LAHORE, Aug 20 Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) outclassed Nushki's Baloch FC 3-1 to recapture the top slot in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) at the KRL Stadia, Rawalpindi, on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Army snatched a narrow 1-0 win over Chaman's Afghan Club at the Army Sports Complex, Rawalpindi, while Habib Bank Limited (HBL) went down 0-3 to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at the PAF Complex, Peshawar.
KRL, led by Samara Ishaq, again grabbed the top position, outpacing Navy (21 points) when they registered their seventh win in eight games. They penciled 22 points after beating Baloch FC, thus getting three handsome points.
The Narowal-born promising striker Rizwan Asif opened scoring at the stroke of interval as KRL led by 1-0.
Baloch FC did well to hit the equaliser in the 57th minute through winger Najibullah's low, angular drive that slipped under the diving keeper Ghulam Nabi. It was the first goal conceded by KRL who have maintained a clean sheet in their previous seven encounters.
But the visitors from Balochistan failed to match the brilliance of Pakistan's No. 3 team as veteran Shahid Ahmed made it 2-1 with a forceful drive that left keeper Sher Zaman stranded six minutes later. And Samundri-born central-defender Rana Fakhar Hayat put the issue beyond their grasp with a third goal in the 88th minute.
Army leapt to the third spot in the 14-team event when they gained three full points by beating Afghan FC 1-0. The lone goal was scored by midfielder Sharjeel Vicky who utilised Jafar Ali's long ball to perfection in the 61st minute.
The match between two former national champions provided a one-sided score line. HBL suffered agony of losing their keeper Sajid Hussain through a red card and conceded three goals against PAF. The bankers were playing with commitment until the 31st minute when their momentum was shattered with FIFA Referee Jehangir Khan's sending Sajid off the field.
The keeper's departure confused their players and officials and the airmen utilised this advantage when Toba Tek Singh-born skipper Mohammad Zeeshan hammered the opener just before interval. Saleh Khan doubled the margin with a long-range drive in the 76th minute and it was Irfan Ali who completed the rout in the final minute of the game.
Friday's fixtures PEL v NBP at MTFA Ground, Lahore; Wapda v PIA at Railway Stadium, Lahore; PMC Athletico v KPT at Agirculture University, Faisalabad. Matches kick off at 5.00pm.—Agencies.