Alam Zeb Safi [The News]
KARACHI: Star-studded National Bank pulled off their second victory of the campaign when they crushed Navy by 4-1 while former champions Army produced their first win with a 2-1 triumph over Karachi Port Trust (KPT) in matches of the Pakistan Premier Football League here on Saturday.
Midfielder Faisal Iqbal, who also acted as vice-captain of the Pakistan team in the recent World Cup qualifiers, scored a brace in National Bank’s victory here at the Peoples Sports Complex.
Navy took the lead when Mohammad Ramzan converted a penalty in the 14th minute. But Faisal struck twice in the 27th and 29th before Atiqullah scored in the 43rd as National bank stormed back into the game.
Substitute Mohammad Asif completed the rout with a 61st minute goal as National Bank stretched their points tally to six from two games while Navy have just a single point from three matches.
“I am satisfied with the performance of my boys. They really played well,” National Bank coach Nasir Ismail told ‘The News’.
Navy coach Khalid Zubair lamented injuries to his key players.
“Our three key players including Farhan, Bilal and Asif Mehmood are injured and that is why we are suffering,” Khalid said.
At the KPT Stadium, Army notched their first victory of the season when they overwhelmed KPT 2-1.
KPT took the lead in the 20th minute when their seasoned defender Akhtar Mamol converted a penalty. However, Army bounced back with an equaliser from Mohammad Ikram in the 36th before Ghulam Rasool scored the winner in the 65th.
Army, with the victory, took their points to four from three matches while KPT have three points from two appearances.
At the Sadiq Shaheed Stadium in Quetta, Chaman’s Afghan FC inflicted a crushing 3-0 defeat on PMC Athletico to take their points to six from two matches.
Jadeed Khan Pathan opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Haji Ahmed Shah doubled their lead in the 33rd and Himmat Khan completed the rout in the 77th.
PMC are yet to open their account after playing three matches. Today’s fixtures: Muslim FC v KRL (Sadiq Shaheed Stadium, Quetta), PEL v WAPDA (Sadiq Shaheed Stadium, Quetta), KESC v PAF (Peoples Football Stadium, Karachi).