| Bayyina Slips Into Second Round |
Jan 9, 2006 |
This playoff match went right down to the wire as these two teams kept it close and exciting. Both teams started with their full rosters available but reports indicated that Bayyina's all-star centre Jamshaid Hashmi was playing with what coach Adnan Chaudary referred to as a "lower body injury." Kafirun started off well and showed patience in their shots as they did not settle for the long three pointers. They worked the ball down low to Bilal Tayara who showed a soft touch in the post as he scored some easy baskets. However things took a bleak turn downwards for Kafirun when only six minutes into the game, leading scorer Warsame Abdulahi went down with a knee injury. Kafirun rallied around this as they tried to play smart and this translated into a 22-18 halftime lead.
Kafirun continued to cling to this slim lead but Salman Habib hit some big shots for Bayyina to give them a 39-38 lead with 2:57 left in the game. The teams traded baskets and with 46 seconds left the score was 44-42. This was where things fell apart for Kafirun as Yahya Thabit took exception to a call and ended up getting himself ejected along with giving up free throws due to his technical fouls. Bayyina was unable to capitalize and Kafirun got the ball back with another chance to tie the game, Umair Khan was fouled and sent to the line in a bonus situation. He missed his first shot and Hashmi was fouled as soon as he got the rebound. Hashmi hit one of his two free throws for a 45-42 lead but giving Kafirun a chance to tie the game with a three pointer. Khan again found the ball in his hands but was unable to get a shot off and Bayyina escaped with a 45-42 win. Taha Mubashar led Bayyina in scoring with 16 points, while Habib added 14 points. Hashmi finished with 9 points and 10 rebounds in a gutsy effort. Kafirun was led by Thabit with 17 points and Tayara who finished with 13 points.
Bayyina will move to the second round to play Zilzal, a team they lost to 39-27 in their first game of the season.
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