The Karachi National Games basketball event faced significant administrative hurdles just days before its commencement. The Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBBF) was informed the venue was unavailable, barely two days before teams were due to arrive.
“We arranged everything in almost two days,” PBBF secretary Yaqoob Qadri told Dawn, highlighting the last-minute scramble. “There were some people who don’t want the event to happen.”
Despite the off-court challenges, the players delivered a compelling contest. The Army’s disciplined approach ultimately overpowered Sindh’s passionate home performance, securing a 97-62 victory. The crowd’s enthusiastic support for Sindh was palpable throughout the match.
Army’s System Dominates Sindh’s Spirit
Sindh, fueled by the fervent home crowd, started strongly, leading the first quarter 6-4. Army’s imposing presence, notably from 7’3″ player Taglub Ammar, posed a significant challenge. “We took our competition lightly that’s why Sindh edged us in the first quarter,” Taglub admitted, reflecting on the initial lapse.
How Army Overpowered Sindh
Army adjusted their strategy, focusing on controlling rebounds and capitalizing on errors. “In the first quarter we started brilliantly and I guess that’s where we spent most of our energy,” Sindh’s Ans Azhar noted. “In the second quarter when that wave passed we couldn’t keep the same intensity and that’s where they hurt us.” The taller Army players, including top scorer Shiraz Aslam, began to dictate play.
By halftime, Army held a 15-12 lead, which extended to 20 points by the third quarter. Despite the crowd’s continued encouragement, Army maintained their composure. “We came prepared and were always confident of the comeback,” said Shiraz Aslam, who found his rhythm after a slow start.
Sindh’s physical play resulted in numerous fouls, with nearly 20 points conceded from free throws. “Against a team like Army you can’t shy away from those duels,” Ans Azhar stated.
A Theme of Dominance in National Games Basketball
The dominance seen in the men’s game was mirrored in the women’s tournament. Army women defeated Balochistan 56-6, while Wapda, considered the strongest in women’s basketball, beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 66-24. Wapda’s Kainat Zafar emphasized their team chemistry as a key factor. “The chemistry among the players is what I think keeps us on the top,” she told Dawn. Their consistent success is built on years together as a department team.
The women’s tournament saw professional department teams showcasing their structured advantage. Wapda’s victory sets up a potential final showdown with Army, their main rivals.
In conclusion, the National Games basketball event, despite organizational hurdles, showcased intense competition, with Army’s systematic strength prevailing over Sindh’s spirited effort, reflecting a broader trend of departmental dominance in women’s basketball.