NBP inflicted a crushing 5-1 win on hapless City District Government Quetta (CDGQ) in a Group ‘H’ match, while in Group ‘G’, ABL sent KWSB packing from the tournament after a 3-0 rout.
Pakistan Navy also cruised into knock-out stage from Group ‘F’ despite a dull 0-0 draw with PTCL.
NBP got rude shock in the first half when they were 1-0 down after CDGQ’s Mohammad Naeem capitalised on a defensive slip by Mohammad Anis and NBP goalkeeper Zahid Taj in the 37th minute.
The bankers, however, opened their account with a second-half goal when Mohammad Ashraf slammed home a perfect pass from Akhtar Rasool in the 57th minute.
The goal opened the floodgates and NBP started mauling CDGQ with a burst of attacking football, scoring four more that completely demoralised their rivals.
CDGQ, being pressed by their cumbersome opposition, could not survive the attacks and committed a foul on a NBP player in the 60th minute. Shamim Akhtar converted the resultant penalty.
Akhtar, who was instrumental in getting the first, now changed his role and scored after being provided a pass by Mohammad Jameel in the 76th minute.
Sattar Mansoori piled on CDGQ’s miseries, first with a solo effort in the 80th minute and then releasing a perfect pass for Akhtar who completed the tally seven minutes later.
ABL, having Pakistan captain Haroon Yousuf in their ranks, remained goalless in the first half despite some raids through strikers Mohammad Ejaz, Mohammad Shafiq, and Amjad Zikria.
The bankers came with a renewed vigour after the break and started tearing the opposition apart with lancing attacks. They slammed home the first in the 63rd minute with Amjad scoring, following a Haroon pass.
Five minutes later, Amjad stretched the lead and swept past the KWSB defence to fire in the second with a brilliant individual effort.
A 80th minute free kick finished the game when midfielder Haroon completed the rout.
Navy, although had smooth sailing against a disjointed PTCL, could not break the ice, basically because of lack of finishing touch.
On the other hand PTCL did nothing impressive except collecting yellow cards and were a nuisance for the media as they wore jerseys with illegible numbers.
The sailors could have scored but missed gilt-edged chances before the halftime whistle.
International midfielder Nomi Martin Gill filled the gaps with a few passes and came close to score but was denied by goalkeeper Mahmood Elahi in the 23rd minute.
Navy’s Basharat close-range effort after a Fida Hussain pass in the box was taken on chest by Mahmood in the 35th minute.
PTCL’s Mohammad Essa, a prolific Pakistan striker, was constantly dribbling in the Navy half in the second session, but was always resisted by two or, at times, three markers.
Navy kept mounting the pressure, raiding from the left flank through Basharat who came close to breaking the deadlock thrice but in vain.
Monday’s fixtures:
Pakistan Army v Crescent Textile Mills Faisalabad at 11.45am; Afghan Agency Chaman v Pakistan Ordnance Factories at 1.45pm; PIA v Railways at 3.45pm.