KARACHI: Showing great commitment on the field, leaders Karachi Port Trust (KPT) recorded their eighth win of the season when they overpowered the promising Habib Bank Limited (HBL) by 3-1, in a match of the Pakistan Premier Football League held here at the Peoples Stadium on Monday.

In other matches of the day, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) crushed Chaman’s Afghan FC 6-2 while Pakistan Steel held Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) to a goalless draw.

The match between KPT and the hosts HBL remained tight throughout as both sides played in aggressive fashion. The fiery international striker Abdul Rehman provided KPT an early lead on a penalty in the fifth minute.

Habib Bank could have brought an equaliser two minutes later but Muhammad Ibrahim’s header on a cross from Muhammad Habib just missed the left bar. At this stage the bankers, who have been fairly impressive this season with a few marvellous wins to their credit also including an unbelievable triumph against the former champions Army, tried to exert pressure on the visitors and were able to square the tie through a fine effort from striker Khayyal Muhammad in the 27th minute.

The following six minutes were not good for the bankers as Zakir Lashari missed two open net chances, leaving the hosts in tatters. The missing brought HBL’s morale down and eight minutes later it were KPT which took a 2-1 lead through an intelligent push from Zafar Majeed towards the left of the goalie.

At half time, KPT were leading with 2-1. In the second half, KPT got control over the ball, giving little chance to the bankers to bounce back. In the 82nd minute KPT took their lead to a decisive 3-1 through a super strike from Shahid Salim from six yards.

“We were lucky not to concede a couple of goals in the first half due to blunders from HBL strikers. But in the second half our frontline played in excellent mood. So far things are going in our favour as we are heading the table and will be looking to maintain the same run,” the victorious KPT trainer cum coach Muhammad Talib told ‘The News’.

However, the bankers’ coach Yousuf Khan was not happy with the way his players played in the match.

“After missing a few chances in the first half, the pressure built on us which took the game out of our reach. My players’ eighty percent passes were wrong. But still our position is good and I will try to remove the flaws in the line-up for the coming matches,” Yousuf said.

The win took KPT’s points to 28 from 15 matches while HBL, trailing at second place, have 24 points from 15 meetings.

Here at Korangi Baloch Football Ground in Sharafi Goth, National Bank outclassed Chaman’s Afghan FC 6-2. For NBP Farooq Shah and midfielder Jamil Ahmad scored two goals each while captain Abdul Aziz and Abbas Ali put their share of one goal each. Afghan FC were lucky to get two own goals due to the bankers’ defence blunders.

The third match which was held here at the Steel Township Ground between Pakistan Steel and KESC ended in a goalless draw.

Today’s fixtures: Navy v Army at Naval Sports Complex, Islamabad, PTV v KRL at PSB Ground near Hamidi Hall, Islamabad.