Wapda, NBP win badminton titles
LAHORE, April 15 While Wapda won the men`s team event title, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) grabbed the women`s team title, competing against each other in the two finals in the All-Pakistan Badminton Ranking Tournament in Sialkot on Wednesday.
Wapda won the team event trophy after defeating NBP 3-0. National champions Wajid Ali beat Rizwan Azam 22-20, 21-14 in the first singles.
Wajid Ali with Rizwan Rana doubled the lead when the pair carved out victory in the doubles against Rizwan Azam and Kashif 18-21, 21-19, 23-21. Umer Zeeshan sealed victory by toppling Murad Ali 21-14, 21-16 in the reverse singles to complete the tally.
But in the women`s section, NBP showed dominance after earning a hard fought 3-2 win against Wapda.
Ayesha Akram drew first blood for the bankers by defeating Sadia Arshad 12-21, 21-15, 21-17 in the first well-contested singles.
Partnering with Palwashe Bashir, Ayesha doubled the lead when they defeated the pair of Asma Butt and Uzma Butt 21-17, 21-11.
Wapda staged a comeback when Farzana Ali defeated Palwasha 21-17, 21-11 to make it 2-1. Farzana with Sadia had restored the parity in the reverse doubles, winning against Sara Mohmind and Sara Khan 21-15, 23-21.
Results
Men`s team event final Wapda beat NBP 3-0.
Wajid Ali bt Rizwan Azam 22-20, 21-14; Wajid Ali-Rizwan Rana bt Rizwan Azam-Kashif 18-21, 21-19, 23-21; Umer Zeeshan bt Murad Ali 21-14, 21-16.
Women`s final. NBP beat Wapda 3-2
Ayesha Akram (NBP) bt Sadia Arshad (Wapda) 12-21, 21-15, 21-17; Ayesha Akram-Palwashe Bashir (NBP) bt Asma Butt-Uzma Butt (Wapda) 21-17, 21-11; Farzana Ali (wapda) bt Palwashe Bashir (NBP) 21-17, 21-11; Farzana Ali-Sadia (Wapda) bt Sara Mohmind-Sara Khan (NBP) 21-15, 23-21; Sara Mohmind (NBP) bt Uzma Butt (Wapda) 21-9, 23-21.