LAHORE – Kahuta-based Khan Research Laboratories maintained their reputation as one of the top teams of Pakistan as they finished second in the League after a goal-less draw with PIA at Sharafi Goth’s Korangi Baloch Stadium.
KRL, under Samar Ishaq, were in need of a draw and they accomplished the task. They earned 58 points in their 30 allotted matches with a goal count of 37-16, while PIA completed their quota of the matches to finish third with 57 points, despite scoring 49 goals.
In another match, KPT drew 2-all with Army at Peoples Sports Complex. The star performer of the match was the short-built striker from Karachi’s Baloch Union FC, Muhammad bin Younus, who jointly became the League’s third best scorer with 13 goals, along with Abdul Rehman (KESC).
Wapda’s Arif Mehmood topped the scorers’ list with 20 goals, followed by SSGC spearhead Asim Faiz (16 Goals).
Muhammad slammed both the goals for KPT, leaving Army keeper Jaffar Khan in no man’s land on both occasions. Muhammad opened the scoring in the 47th minute after a listless first session that produced no goal. Hardly six minutes had elapsed when Army hit back through Noor, who dashed through the middle, giving diving keeper Ehsan Ullah no chance with a left footed drive.
But Muhammad infused new spirit in the KPT bench with another spectacular goal in the 55th minute. Army’s midfielder Muhammad Ikram hammered the goal in the 79th minute to save the match. It was the fifth goal for Ikram in the event.
The 240th and last match of the ongoing event will be held on Thursday, December 30 when KESC will clash with National Champions Wapda at Peoples Sports Complex at 2.30 PM.
