WAPDA march into National TT team events’ finals

KARACHI: WAPDA blasted their way into the finals of men’s and women’s team events of the National Table Tennis championship in Bahawalpur on Saturday.
Railways also moved into the decider in the men’s slots, while holders Habib Bank Limited (HBL) advanced to the final in the women’s team event.
In the men’s team event first semi-final, defending champions WAPDA whipped Higher Education Commission (HEC) 3-0.
Ali Faisal defeated Mohammad Hafeez 3-0 with the set scores of 11-5, 11-6 and 11-6 to give WAPDA a 1-0 lead.
Reigning champion Asim Qureshi then doubled the lead by crafting a superb 11-3, 11-6 and 11-3 win over Danish Ali.
Bilal Yasin completed the rout with a 3-0 triumph over Subhan Qureshi. The scores were 11-5, 11-5 and 11-7.
In the second semi-final, Railways routed Army 3-0. In the first game, Yasir Bhatti overcame Danish Ali 11-7, 11-6 and 11-8.
Talented young international Salman Virk doubled Railways’ lead with a 3-1 victory over Awais Ahmed with the set scores of 11-8, 10-12, 14-12 and 11-8.
Hasan Ahmed completed the straight victory for his side when he snatched a 3-2 win over Umair Ahmed after a tense battle.
After losing the first two sets 6-11, and 12-14, Hasan bounced back smartly and won the next three sets 11-4, 11-9 and 11-6.
In the first semi-final of the women’s team event, HBL crushed Higher Education Commission (HEC) 3-0.
Defending champion Shabnam Bilal beat Sana Ali 11-5, 11-2 and 11-8 to put the bankers ahead.
Raheela Kashif then doubled their lead by crafting a 11-3, 11-5 and 11-1 victory over Farwa Babar.
Ghalia Mohsin beat Farah Ali 11-8, 13-11 and 11-9 to wrap-up a superb triumph for HBL.
In the second semi-final, WAPDA outgunned Punjab B 3-0. Sanam Yasin whipped Farwa Arif 11-6, 11-8 and 11-3 to put WAPDA ahead. Ghazala Basit whacked Maria Rasool 11-3, 11-1 and 11-7 to double WAPDA’s lead.
Former national champion Ayesha Iqbal defeated Maria Khan in straight sets to complete the rout. The set scores were 11-8, 11-9 and 11-8.