LAHORE, Dec 6: A 27th minute goal by Ammad Shakeel helped PIA to earn a close 2-1 win against the National Bank of Pakistan in the NBP Gold Cup hockey tournament at the National Hockey Stadium’s outer ground on Thursday.

The PIA earned an early lead when Inyatullah fired a field goal in the 5th minute, but Arslan Qadir helped the bankers equal the score with a 21st minute strike.

The equaliser changed the tempo of the match with strikers of both sides accelerating the pace of attack, but only Ammad could get a chance in the 27th minute when he banged home with a field goal that proved the final goal of the match as the second half remained barren.

Also, Customs and Army played a 1-1 draw in the second match. Having played a goalless first half, Customs earned the lead first when Mushtaq converted a short-corner in the 52nd minute.

However, Army’s efforts bore fruits after battling for 15 minutes with their M Safeer also capitalising on a short-corner just three minutes before the final whistle.

Friday’s fixtures: Army v NBP; Wapda v Customs.—Sports Reporter