KARACHI: Defending Champ­ions Wapda showcased their prowess in a commanding victory over Islamabad women’s team to successfully defend their National Women’s Basketball title here at the Siddique Memon Sports Complex on Saturday.

Wapda players’ height and strength coupled with their skill, teamwork and determination were too much for Islamabad to handle as the former register a comfortable 63-27 victory to keep the crown.

Wapda captain Kainat, in a lop-sided final, led from the front as she top-scored with 19 points. Her team-mates Hijab (18) and Sidrah (16) were also class apart from their counterparts as they ran riot, intercepting passes and feeding long passes to their forwards.

“The competition in our country is more balanced at the departmental level compared to the regional level,” the 25-year-old Kainat told Dawn after the decider. “It is the other way around on the international stage; when we represent Pakistan we feel like we are a regional-level team. It also shows the lack of competition we have here.” she added.

Wapda took control right from the start as Islamabad were already trailing by 10 points after the first three minutes and the coach immediately called for a time-out to regroup.

It seemed like that the time-out paid off as Sana (16), the only pro­m­inent performer for Islama­bad, opened scoring for the capital side from a free-throw following a foul.

Wapda then responded with free-throws of their own and regained lead as Fareeha’s both shots were on target. Sehrish also got an opportunity to add from the free-throws but both the attempts missed. Undeterred, Kainat dribbled past two defenders, adding two more points for Wapda.

After failing to overpower Wapda defenders and get near the basket, Islamabad switched their strategy and started to attempt three-pointers from long range but with little to no success. Amani and Asma both attempted long shots but missed narrowly as the ball kept hitting the rim.

At the end of the first quarter Wapda were 19-5 ahead.

In the second quarter, Wapda picked up from where they left off as Hijab, who replaced Fareeha, successfully converted two more free-throws and Kainat, who counts Steph Curry as her inspiration, showcased her shooting skills scoring a three-pointer. Later, a brilliant team effort between Sidr­ah and Sehrish enabled Kai­nat to add impressive two points.

Anorina contributed two points for Islamabad after a four-minute scoring drought. However, Islamabad called for a timeout after a corner throw turned into a missed free throw by Hijab.

As the second period concluded, Wapda held a commanding 39-11 lead. During the break, Wapda continued to practice their shots, while Islamabad devised strategies for what could only be their miraculous comeback.

Islamabad’s plan didn’t pay dividends as Kainat and Co took every opportunity they got while giving away none. Islamabad seemed more lively in the final quarter as Sana and Asma added to the team’s tally but it was too little, too late.

Sana’s last-second free throw added one more point to Islam­abad’s score, but it was roars of celebration from the Wapda contingent as the referee blew the final whistle.

Earlier, Lahore Division defe­ated Pakistan Green 46-27 in the third-place match as Feroza and Faryal shined for the winners.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2023