KARACHI: Wapda outplayed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) 4-2 in the 59th National Hockey Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan here on Wednesday to snatch the top spot from the Airliners in the event.

Wapda had Salman Hussain (35th and 61st mins), Mohsin Bilal (40th min) and captain Rehan Butt (63rd min) scoring for them while Mohammad Irfan (25th min) and Kashif Ali (56th min) reduced the margin for the losing side. Wapda now have 22 points while PIA have 20.

Meanwhile, Navy outclassed Pakistan Air Force (PAF) 2-0 with the goals coming from Umer (11th min) and captain Rashid (46th min). Navy at the moment are seventh with 10 points and PAF ninth with six points.

Port Qasim Authority (PQA) defeated PHF Academy 4-1. The goals for the winners were scored by Ali Azlan (seventh min), Abu Bakar (44th min), Imran Khan (50th min) and Haseem Khan (57th min). Mohammad Asif Iqbal (12th min) scored the consolation goal for PHF Academy. PQA is sixth with 12 points while PHF Academy are 10th with no points as yet.

Finally, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) outclassed Habib Bank Limited (HBL) 7-2. Two goals each for the winners were scored by captain Akhtar Ali (fifth and 67th mins), Yasir Shabbir (10th and 42nd mins) and Mohammad Atiq (15th and 54th mins) as Umar Bhutta (29th min) added another. Adeel Hussain (34th min) and Shahbaz Ali (54th min) scored the two goals for HBL.NBP are fifth with 16 points and HBL eighth with seven points.

Thursday is a rest day in the competition. The first semi-final will see PIA taking on Army (11.00am) as Wapda will face SSGC (3.00pm) in the second semi-final on Friday.