KARACHI: Young goalkeeper Sher Zaman saved a handful of goals to help Baloch FC hold defending champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) to a goalless draw in their game of the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League, while Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) defeated Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) 2-1 on Thursday.
At the Nushki Stadium in Nushki (Balochistan), keeper Sher Zaman acted brilliantly under the cage to deny KRL a much-needed win. “Sher Zaman was outstanding as he saved three or four sure goals,” KRL coach Tariq Lutfi told ‘The News’ from his Quetta-bound team bus. “We did our best but Sher averted all our rallies and is a goalie capable to become part of the national team,” said Lutfi, also a former Pakistan coach.
“We could not convert chances also because we were missing our specialised hands in the shape of Kaleem Ullah who was not playing due to double booking,” revealed Lutfi.
“It was not a good trip for us as we lost five points here,” Tariq said.
KRL, who are scheduled to land here in the port city on Friday (today) for their last six games of the league, reached Nushki from Quetta in three hours on Thursday morning and were returning under a heavy spell of snowfall that has crippled life in Balochistan.
The single point catapulted KRL to 59 points from 24 meetings, while Baloch FC inflated their tally to 26 from 26 outings.
Here at the Korangi Baloch Football Ground in Sharafi Goth, PIA beat ZTBL after a tough contest that took their tally to 30 from 25 meetings.
PIA got onto the scoresheet in the sixth minute through international Shakir Lashari in the sixth minute. At half time, PIA were leading 1-0. After the breather PIA played superbly and doubled their lead when Mohammad Ishtiaq landed a super field effort in the 68th minute. ZTBL netted their consolation goal through Hikmatullah in the 88th minute.
ZTBL defender Syed Ghazi Gillani was adjudged the best player of the show.
The loss left ZTBL at 23 points from 26 meetings.
Today’s fixtures: KPT v PMC FC (KPT Stadium, Karachi), HBL v Wohaib FC (Peoples Sports Complex, Karachi).
From: The News
Meanwhile, WAPDA thrashed Police 4-0 to win final of the 32nd National Games 2012 men’s football event.
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012 (9th PPFL-2012)
Match Results (Thursday, December 27, 2012)
Match # 203
PIA beat ZTBL 2:1 @ 14:30 PST @ Korangi Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer PIA: Shakir Lashari (FW) 1 Goal @ 6 Mnt and Muhammad Ishtiaq (FW) 1Goal @ 68 Mnt.
Scorer ZTBL: Hikmat Ullah (FW) 1 Goal @ 88 Mnt.
Yellow Card PIA: Nadeem Tariq (MF) @ 31 Mnt and Abdul Ghaffar (MF) @ 41 Mnt.
Best Scorer: Shakir Lashari (FW) of PIA
Best Player: Syed Ghazi Khan (DF & Captain) of ZTBL
Match Commissioner: Muhammad Iqbal Baloch Junior Cell # 0333-3329892
Match # 204
Baloch FC Vs KRL 0:0 Draw @ 13:00 PST @ Noushki Football Stadium, Noushki Pakistan
Yellow Card Baloch FC: Habib Ullah (FW) @ 56 Mnt.
Best Player: Sher Zaman (GK) of Baloch FC
Match Commissioner: Muhammad Shafique Cell # 0301-3737814
9th Pakistan Premier Football League (9th PPFL-2012)
Tomorrow Fixture :( Friday, December 28, 2012)
Match # 205 KPT Vs PMC FC @ 15:00 PST @ KPT Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Match # 206 HBL Vs Wohaib FC @ 15:00 PST @ Peoples Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan