KARACHI Two hat-tricks from Pakistan International Airlines' (PIA) striker Zeeshan Ali and Karachi Electric Supply Corporation's (KESC) fullback Aurangzeb dominated the day as four more Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) matches were decided on Tuesday.
PIA outclassed Afghan FC 5-0 at the Korangi Baloch Stadium, Karachi. PIA's frontrunner Zeeshan Ali opened the scoring in the seventh minute after fine work from veteran international Abdul Ghaffar. He added another with a right-footed drive in the 25th minute from the edge of the area. PIA led 2-0 at interval.
It was within the first three minutes of the second session that Zeeshan struck his third goal to complete the hat-trick. Young international Imran Abdullah enhanced the lead to 4-0 in the 73rd minute and Ali Adeem Shahzad rounded off the tally two minutes later.
At the DHA Stadium, Karachi, KESC beat Nushki's Baloch FC 4-0. International winger Abdul Rehman opened the scoring in the 16th minute and fullback Auranzeb consolidated the lead in the 29th minute. He fired the ball home again in the 36th minute to make KESC's score line 3-0 at interval. Aurangzeb completed his well-deserved hat-trick in the 62nd minute.
Karachi Port Trust (KPT) edged past Habib Bank Limited (HBL) 1-0 at the KPT-Benazir Sports Complex, Karachi. The match saw most of the game restricted to the midfield with the lone goal emerging in the 35th minute when Zafar Majeed opened the gates for striker Mohammad to steer the ball inside in the 35th minute.
Meanwhile, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) conceded two late goals to suffer a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Army at the KRL Stadia, Rawalpindi. Army put a dent into the high-flying KRL by giving them their first defeat in the ongoing league.
A long-range drive from Army's Ansar Abbas, completely upsetting keeper Ghulam Nabi's vision, gave them the lead in the 78th minute. The game's last minute saw striker Abid Ali utilising Sharjeel Vicky's pass to make the score 2-0 at the final whistle.
Wednesday's fixtures PMC Athletico v Navy at Agriculture University Ground, Faisalabad; PEL v PAF at MTFA Ground, Lahore. Matches kick off at 4.00pm.—Agencies
