WAPDA clinch Nishan-e-Haider hockey trophy

KARACHI: WAPDA beat Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)-White 5-4 in a thrilling match to clinch the 10th Nishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament trophy at Dring Stadium, Bahawalpur, on Tuesday.
The match started at a high pace as both teams were in attacking mode. The ball kept rolling between the two goalposts.
Both teams had skilled and experienced forwards in their ranks who demonstrated brilliant stick-work that electrified the spectators who cheered and applauded every move.
Both teams failed to score in the first two quarters.
Soon after the third quarter began, Imran, Irfan and Adnan made a move and got a penalty corner for WAPDA. Zubair Riaz successfully deflected the ball on rebound in the 33rd minute to give lead to his team.
PIA-W came back in the last quarter thanks to an enthralling move by Zubair and Amir Shahzad which created a penalty corner. Waseem Akram converted in the 46th minute.
PIA-W made some ferocious attacks but failed to make any dent in the sturdy defense of WAPDA.
The match ended 1-1 draw in the stipulated time.
In the penalty shootout stage, both teams scored three goals each. In the sudden death stage, PIA’s Zubair failed to dodge the goalkeeper but WAPDA’s Irfan netted it cleanly to give his team a deserved win.
WAPDA got a cash prize of Rs100,000, while PIA-W walked away with Rs50,000.
District Coordination Officer Bahawalpur Imran Sikandar Baloch was the chief guest who awarded the winners’ trophy toWAPDA’s captain.