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.
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).
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