KARACHI, Oct 21: Second seed Punjab stunned top seed Pakistan Air Force (PAF) while fourth seed Balochistan toppled third seed Sindh by an identical margin of 2-1 to earn full points in the Hasan Musa Squash Championship team event at the Hyderabad Gymkhana on Tuesday.

Punjab’s Ali Bokhari, who the other day clinched the boys’ U-15 individual title beating PAF’s Faraz Mohammad, proved that his victory was not a flash in a pan when he gave his team a winning start crushing the latter 9-0, 9-0, 9-2.

PAF’s Bilal Zakir neutralised the score by getting the better of Omer Balaj 9-3, 9-4, 9-1. However, Moin Rauf of Punjab sealed the fate registering a 9-5, 9-7, 4-9, 9-2 victory.

Displaying a lacklustre performance, hosts Sindh lost both their matches on the opening day to trail at the bottom in the four-team event which is played on league basis.

After getting a straight 3-0 drubbing at the hands of the PAF in the morning, Sindh went down 1-2 to Balochistan in the next fixture.

In another match, Punjab thrashed Balochistan 3-0.

Only two teams – Sindh and Punjab – are to vie for honours in the girls’ team event which begins on Wednesday. The championship concludes on Thursday.

Results:

PAF bt Sindh 3-0 (Faraz Mohammad bt Saad Shahid 9-3, 7-9, 9-2, 9-0; Bilal Zakir bt Faisal Khan 9-3, 9-0, 9-0; Fazal Mahmood bt Asbak Khan 9-3, 9-0, 9-1).

Punjab bt Balochistan 3-0 (Ali Bukhari bt Saifullah 9-3, 9-2, 9-4; Moin Rauf bt Mohammad Aijaz 9-1, 9-2, 9-1; Shah Jahan bt Jawed Ali 10-8, 9-6, 7-9, 8-10, 9-3).

Punjab bt PAF 2-1 (Ali Bukhari bt Faraz Mohammad 9-0, 9-0, 9-2; Omer Balaj lost to Bilal Zakir 3-9, 4-9, 1-9; Moin Rauf bt Rizwan Gul 9-5, 9-7, 4-9, 9-2).

Balochistan bt Sindh 2-1 (Saifullah loses to Saad Shahid 9-4, 6-9, 0-9, 2-9; Mohammad Aijaz bt Faisal Khan 9-4, 9-3, 9-0; Jawed Ali bt Asbak Khan 9-4, 4-9, 9-7, 9-2).

Wednesday’s fixtures:

At 11.00am (boys’ team event): PAF v Balochistan; Punjab v Sindh.

At 1.00pm (girls’ team event): Sindh v Punjab.

Opinion

Editorial

United stance
13 Nov, 2024

United stance

BEYOND rhetoric, unity is rare within the Muslim world. Yet it was reassuring to see Muslim states speak with one...
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

AN IMF mission is in Islamabad for unusual, early talks with the Pakistani authorities as the lender seems worried...
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

BARA tehsil, a region typically known for its security challenges and socioeconomic problems, can now boast the...
System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....