Three wins keep Pakistan second

Tough match against India awaits in bridge event.

KARACHI:

Pakistan managed to hold on to second place in the 16th Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle East Championship after three wins on the third day in Chennai.

Picking up from where they left off, Pakistan had a wining start on the third day when they outplayed Bangladesh 20-10 and went on to defeat Saudi Arabia 17-13 in the next match. They concluded the day with a 19-11 victory against Jordan to gain 58 more points.

Pakistan now have 165 points, just 13 behind the hosts after nine rounds of the event. Bangladesh sit in third with 119 points while Saudi Arabia gained 43 points in the ninth round to push Jordan off the fifth spot with 118 points.

“We have made progress today as we didn’t lose a match,” Pakistan player Rashidul Ghazi told The Express Tribune. “We are more comfortable now after nine rounds. We have played against five teams and we now know their tactics. We are targeting our match against India with a win in mind. That can bring a huge difference to our cause.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan women also maintained their second position after round nine in the ladies event.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2011.