LAHORE - Two matches were played on the opening day of the Maj Gen Saeed-uz-Zaman Janjua Memorial Polo Cup sponsored by JS Bank that got underway here at the Pakistan Park on Wednesday.
The first match of the day between Asean Polo Team and Master Paints/Diamond Paints proved to be a thrilling encounter, where Asean Polo Team emerged victorious with a narrow margin of 7-6½. Experienced polo player Raja Sami Ullah emerged as hero of the match with a classic contribution of fabulous four goals while his teammates Raja Jalal Arslan and Mohib Faisal converted two and one goal respectively. From Master Paints/Diamond Paints, Mir Huzaifa Ahmed hammered a hat-trick of goals while Sufi Muhammad Haroon banged in a brace and Ch Hayat struck one goal.
Sheikhoo Steel/Diamond Paints dominated the eight-chukker match against Jubilee Insurance as they took 7½-3 lead in the second match of the day. Saqib Khan Khakwani was star of the day from Sheikhoo Steel/Diamond Paints with five fantastic goals while Mir Shoaib Ahmed scored one. From Jubilee Insurance, Hissam Ali Hyder converted all the three goals.
The match began with Sheikhoo Steel/Diamond Paints having one and a half goal handicap advantage and they continued their dominance in the first two chukkers to gain a healthy 5½-1 lead. The third and fourth chukkers were evenly poised as both the sides scored two goals each in each chukker with Sheikhoo Steel/Diamond Paints enjoying 7½-3 lead at the end of the fourth chukker.
The opening day matches were witnessed by Jinnah Polo Fields (JPF) President Lt Col (R) Shoaib Aftab, Secretary General Maj (R) Babar Mahboob Awan, polo players, their families and polo enthusiasts. The only match today (Thursday) will be played between FG Polo and Master Paints/Diamond Paints at Fortress Stadium.