Pakistan international airlines won the title of NBP Gold Cup hockey tournament beating National Bank of Pakistan 4-2 in the final here on Friday at the outer ground of the national stadium.
In a classification match, Pakistan Customs beat Army 3-2, to take the third place. President, Pakistan Hockey Federation, Qasim Zia was the chief guest on the occasion and gave away the prizes to the teams. Also present were Secretary, PHF, Mohammad Asif Bajwa, chief coach and manager of the team, Akhtar Rasool Chaudhary and organizing secretary of the tournament, Rana Mujahid, Iqbal Qasim, Senior Executive Vice-President/In-charge Sports Department, National Bank of Pakistan and a number of former Olympians.
Airlines led the first half 2-1 against Bankers who failed to pose a serious threat to their opponents due to lack of coordination and necessary fire in their hitting inside the circle. PIA gained control of the game by hitting their first goal in the very first minute when Mohammad Zuabir dominated in a mid field move.Airlines doubled the lead late in the session with Kashif Ali collecting a goal off a penalty corner as bankers captain Akhtar Ali sounded the boards with a calculated shot, two minutes before the end of the first half.
Airlines continued their onslaughts in the second half with speedy moves and coordination between both the flanks and their persistent efforts bore fruit in shape of two goals three minutes late in the play.
Imran Abbas struck the 60th minute goal followed by 62nd minute by Inyatullah before Akhtar scored bankers and his second goal off a penalty stroke in the 52nd minutes. Customs wrapped up the first half 2-0 over Army after receiving second minute penalty corner goal from Waseem Abbas as Owais produced a short corner goal in the 33rd minute.
Customs added their third goal again through Owais who this time underlined his talent in a field attack in the 39th minute. Army scored their first goal in the 46th minute through Mohammad Safeer who made no mistake in a direct conversion drill off a short corner. Army made it 2-3 with the 51st minute field goal scored by Shahid Ali Khan.
