LAHORE: The Indo-Pak squad of four players won the team event of the 16th Balijee International Bridge Championship here at Lahore Gymkhana on Monday.

The team comprising, Gulzar Ahmed Bilal, Farrukh Liaquat, Subash Gupta and Sapan Desai obtained 160.61 per cent points to claim the first slot followed by runners-up Tehsin (134.67 per cent) consisting of Tehsin Gheewala, Rashidul Ghazi, Muhammad Hashmat, Imran Abedi and Fatima Raza.

The third place went to Izzo IV -- having Jahangir Ahmed, Farooq Alvi, Mudessar Rahim, Qasim Rahim and Abida Ali -- who notched up 111.55 per cent points.

The Indo-Pak team was remarkable in application of bridge playing attributes like intelligence, quick thinking, stable temperament ,decision power and cohesive team effort.

While Gulzar Ahmed Bilal, Farrukh Liaquat and Sapan Desai were dazzling, the star of the Indo-Pak team was Subhash Gupta who was lustrous in defining the team strategy which paid them rich dividends in the shape of a comfortable victory.

The Indo-Pak team remained in complete control as they bagged all ten boards. Not once did they face any serious threat and in the process even the major outfits like Tehsin, Izzo IV, Punters and Next Pharma were a casualty.

As for the final day’s sessions, overnight leaders Indo-Pak remained on winning track and though they tried hard, Tehsin had to be content with the runners-up slot.

The prizes were distributed by Air Marshal Syed Shahid Zulfiqar Ali, convenor card room Khawaja Imran Zubair and Lahore Gymkhana chairman Kamran Lashari.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2018