Pakistan's card masters produced a sterling show in the final of open team event when they defeated their arch-rivals India 127-105 International Points (IMPs) to regain Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle East (BFAME) glory after a decade on Wednesday.
Led by veteran bridge supremo Rashid-ul-Ghazi, Pakistan team reached the pinnacle in the regional event by grabbing the title for a record 7th time but first since 2001 when they were declared joint winners with India. This was Pakistan's first big triumph after the hockey team won the Asian Games title in China.
Despite 12 points carry over by India, Pakistan was leading 58-38 International Match Points (IMPs) at the close in the first segment on Tuesday. Rashid-ul-Ghazi and his partner Tehseen Gheewala, Javed Miran-Hasan Askari, Tahir Masood-Syed Jawad Hasan playing brilliantly kept up their pressure on their opponents in the second and third segment.
Pakistan won the second segment 50-21 to an assailable lead 108-47 IMPs lead. India won the third and final segment 46-19 but it failed to change the result.
National Champions Data Steel, which represented Pakistan in the six-nation competition made sluggish start but ended in blaze of glory by finishing on the top of the league table with 285 Victory Points (VPs) and eventually regaining the coveted crown.
Besides Indo-Pak, Jordan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka took part in the week-long championship. By virtue of reaching the final, both Pakistan and India have qualified to represent the zone in the Bermuda Bowl to be held in Netherlands.
India however retained the women title when they routed Jordan 202-90. In the meantime President of Pakistan Bridge Federation (PBF) Chief Nawab Yousuf Talpur has congratulated Pakistan's Non Playing Captain Tariq Rasheed Khan and other members of the team for winning the title in India.
"Each and every member of the team deserved the credit for the triumph," Yousuf Talpur, himself a top bridge player, who led Pakistan in 2009 Bermuda Bowl - World Bridge Championship in Brazil, said. In the meantime PBF was making arrangements to accord warm welcome to the team when they return home via Mumbai on Thursday at 4.00 pm by PIA flight.
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