KARACHI, June 10: Unimpressive National champions National Bank (NBP) had to bounce back from a 0-1 deficit to defeat rookies Sindh 5-1 in the President’s Gold Cup hockey tournament at Hockey Club of Pakistan on Sunday.

The bankers started on a sluggish note and had to pay for their slackness as Sindh opened the scoring just two minutes before halftime through Uzair Ahmad who found the cage off a deflection.

It was only after the opening goal the bankers woke up to equalise a minute later when discarded Pakistan forward Adnan Zakir slammed home.

Sindh might have caused more trouble for the bankers during the first 15 minutes of the second half, but they rued two missed chances. An unmarked Alay Hassan cut in from left to feed a diagonal pass only to see Uzair squandering the move in the 45th minute.

Uzair again wasted a promising opportunity by fumbling in the semi-circle when Alay squared a perfect pass two minutes later.

Although NBP didn’t seem to be as impressive as they should have been against young and inexperienced Sindh, especially in the first half, they went ahead for the first time in the 50th minute through Asif Ahmad.

Adnan found the target for his second in the 55th minute before Asif completed his double two minutes later.

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Nadeem, who was green carded along with Uzair after an exchange of hot words, completed the tally on a penalty corner conversion in the 61st minute.

Two-goal Yasir Islam and Waqas Akbar helped defending champions PIA pulverise KESC 6-0.

The national airlines got off to a flying start with a second-minute goal through Yasir which was followed by a Waqas penalty corner strike two minutes before interval.

Yasir slotted home his second in the 49th minute before Waqas made it 4-0 on a short corner in the 56th minute.

As the hapless KESC struggled to open their scoring, PIA extended the lead with an Inamur Rahman goal in the 63rd while Mahmood Ali wrapped up the proceedings four minutes later.

New entrants Port Qasim Authority (PQA) made their debut with a convincing 7-1 victory over minnows Balochistan.

PQA started with a Manzoor Ahmad goal in the sixth minute, while Talha Tanveer netted in the 26th minute. Balochistan scored their consolation goal two minutes later through Mohammad Uzeer.

Owais Khan was on target in the 55th minute, Samiullah grabbed the fourth on a penalty corner in the 59th minute, while discarded Pakistan centre-forward Kashif Jawwad got the fifth in the 65th minute. PQA added two quick goals near the end when Wasif Khan found the cage in the 69th minute and Kashif got his second seconds before time.

Three-goal Shakeel Abbasi guided SSGC to a 5-0 win against Pakistan Air Force.

Shakeel, who was dropped from Azlan Shah Cup squad in April apparently on poor performance, banged home in the sixth and 18th minutes, while Shabbir Ahmad got the third in the 22nd minute. Majid Khan (52nd minute) made it 4-0 and Shakeel scored his third in the 62nd minute.

Monday’s fixtures:

Wapda v Balochistan 9.00am; HBL v PAF at 11.00am; PIA v Pakistan Navy at 3.00pm; Steel Mills v Sindh 5.00pm.