KARACHI, Dec 31 Favourites National Bank retained the team event crown in the All-Pakistan women`s badminton championship by inflicting 3-0 defeat on Sindh in the final at the Karachi Club on Wednesday.

Earlier, the two teams qualified for the title clash after winning their semi-finals in contrasting styles. While the bankers whipped Punjab 3-0, Sindh were stretched to the limits before overcoming a fighting Railways side 3-2.

Meanwhile, the top seeds have stormed into the singles pre quarter-finals. Top seed and defending champion Ayesha Akram of National Bank disposed off Sindh`s Yusra Waheed 21-8, 21-9, while her bank-mate and second seed Sara Khan downed Faryal 21-10, 21-4. No 3 seed Sara Momand, also of the NBP, got the better of Sama Asif 21-4, 21-13. The winners got the bye in first and second rounds.

Results

Singles (first round)

Mahoor Shahzad (Sindh) bt Humaira (Sindh) - walkover; Mehreen Seher (Sindh) bt Hina (Sindh) 21-12, 21-18; Iqra (Sindh) bt Latifa (Balochistan) 21-17, 21-12; Sama Asif (Sindh) bt Shazia (Sindh) 21-7, 21-6; Nadia (Islamabad) bt Sunaina (Sindh) 21-12, 21-18; Faryal Shahzad (Sindh) bt Kauser (Islamabad) 21-5, 21-7; Naeema (Punjab) bt Maheesa (Sindh) 21-12, 21-13; Rabia (Sindh) bt Hira (Sindh) 21-17, 21-12; Warda (Sindh) bt Naheeda (Balochistan) 21-17, 21-15; Marina (Balochistan) bt Sana Gul Zaman (Sindh) 21-18, 21-9; Saima (Sindh) bt Ayesha (Sindh) - walkover; Saba (Punjab) bt Shaista (Sindh) 21-12, 21-16; Faryal (Islamabad) bt Saba (Sindh) 21-12, 21-18.

Second round

Mahoor Shahzad (Sindh) bt Razia (Islamabad) 21-14, 21-18; Misbah (Balochistan) bt Naila Zaman (Sindh) 21-6, 21-7; Faryal Shahzad (Sindh) bt Nimra (Sindh) 21-10, 21-4; Amna (Islamabad) bt Marium (Sindh) 21-14, 21-19; Sobia (Sindh) bt Uzma (Balochistan) 21-8, 21-5; Saima (Sindh) bt Tahira (Balochistan) 21-9, 21-11; Anila (Railways) bt Warda (Sindh) 21-10, 21-14; Yasmeen (Railways) bt Aqila (Sindh) 21-10, 21-6; Hina (Sindh) bt Mona (Sindh) 21-13, 21-12; Zahida (Railways) bt Mehreen (Sindh) 21-6, 22-20.

Third round

Sumaira (Railways) bt Marina (Balochistan) 21-6, 21-6; Mahoor (Sindh) bt Zahida (Railways) 21-9, 21-12; Monisha Kotia (Sindh) bt Mahoor (Sindh) 21-15, 21-16; Ayesha Akram (NBP) bt Yusra Waheed (Sindh) 21-8, 21-9; Sara Khan (NBP) bt Faryal (Sindh) 21-10, 21-4; Sara Momand (NBP) bt Sama Asif (Sindh) 21-4, 21-13.

Team event (quarter-finals)

Punjab bt Balochistan 3-0 (Naeema bt Marina Khan 21-7, 21-8; Naeema and Hira bt Marina and Misbah 21-10, 21-9; Hina bt Uzma 21-9, 21-4).

Sindh bt Islamabad 3-0 (Monisha Kotia bt Amna 21-4, 21-4; Monisha and Mehwish bt Amna and Razia 21-16, 21-12; Amna bt Razia 21-16, 21-19).

Semi-finals

National Bank bt Punjab 3-0 (Ayesha Akram bt Naeema 21-5, 21-6; Ayesha and Sara Momand bt Naeema and Saba 21-6, 21-6; Sara Momand bt Hina 21-11, 21-5).

Sindh bt Railways 3-2 (Monisha Kotia bt Sumaira 21-17, 12-21, 21-18; Amna and Saba lost to Sumaira and Yasmeen 12-21, 18-21; Mehwish lost to Yasmeen 21-18, 18-21, 17-21; Monisha and Mehwish bt Aneela and Zahida 21-15, (retd); Amna Khan bt Anila 18-21, 21-16, 21-17).

Final

National Bank bt Sindh 3-0 (Ayesha Akram bt Monisha Kotia 21-12, 21-15; Sara Momand and Sara Khan bt Amna and Monisha 21-10, 21-14; Sara Khan bt Faryal Shahzad 21-10, 21-8).

Thursday`s fixtures

Matches begin at 11.00am.

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...