KARACHI: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) thrashed Pakistan Air Force (PAF) 4-0 in their last fixture to complete the semi-final quartet in the Premier Pakistan Cup nine-a-side hockey tournament at the Abdul Sattar Edhi Stadium on Thursday night.

By virtue of victory, Wapda finished runners-up in the pool B and earned a slot in the semi-finals.

National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have already made it to the semis the other day.

Wapda, runners-up of the 62nd National Hockey Championship at the same venue in January, faced a tough time from their opponents in the first half and were kept at bay to open the accounts.

However, Wapda combined their act together and slammed four goals in a span of 12 minutes to justify credentials and change the complexion of the match.

Jaffer drew blood in the 27th minute while Ejaz consolidated the lead two minutes later. Asad Bashir slammed the third goal in 36th minute while Qasim completed the rout a minute before the final hooter.

After a day’s rest, the event resumes on Saturday with two semi-finals on the card.

Reigning national champions PIA takes on SSGC in the first semi-final at 7.30pm while NBP is drawn to face Wapda in the second at 9pm.

Curtain falls on the event on Sunday, the Independence Day of Pakistan, with final at 5.30pm. This will be preceded by playoff for the third-fourth position at 4pm.

According to prize money break-up, the winners will be awarded Rs2.0 million while the runners-up will receive Rs1.0 million. The bronze medallist will earn half-a-million rupees.

Besides, Rs5,000 has been set aside for every goal-scorer of the event.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2016