Chasing a target of 107 for victory, Pakistan reached the required total in just 4.3 overs, led by a dominant display from skipper Abbas Afridi.

Hong Kong, batting first after being sent in, posted a competitive total of 106-3 in their allotted six overs. Nizakat Khan led the scoring for the hosts with 38 off 10 deliveries, featuring five sixes.

Anshy Rath also contributed significantly with 37 runs from 15 balls, while Nasrulla Rana provided a late flourish, hitting 16 runs from just three deliveries to bolster the Hong Kong total.

Irfan Khan was the standout bowler for Pakistan, claiming two wickets for 16 runs in his single over. Ahmed Daniyal also chipped in with a wicket to help restrict the opposition.

In response, Pakistan’s chase was spearheaded by Abbas, who smashed 55 runs off only 13 deliveries. His explosive innings included three fours and seven sixes.

Khawaja Nafay provided crucial support, scoring 34 runs from 10 balls, which included four sixes and two fours. Abdul Samad finished the match quickly with a rapid 17 off four deliveries.

Pakistan had entered the Plate competition after finishing second in Group C. Their campaign began with a narrow last-ball defeat to the United Arab Emirates, despite a 53-run knock from Abbas.

The team recovered well in their second group match, securing a comfortable victory over India. In that encounter, Pakistan restricted India to 88-5 before chasing the target in 3.5 overs.

Nafay had impressed in the win against India with 41 runs, while Abbas contributed 35. However, the United Arab Emirates advanced to the main Cup semi-finals after winning both their group matches.

Pakistan now moves forward to face Oman in the Plate final. The tournament, known for its fast-paced format, continues to draw attention as teams compete for the secondary trophy.

Brief scores: Hong Kong 106-3 (6 overs; Nizakat Khan 38, Anshy Rath 37) lost to Pakistan 107-5 (4.3 overs; Abbas Afridi 55, Khawaja Nafay 34) by five wickets.

National record-holder Shajar Abbas headlined the day for WAPDA, winning the men's 100-metre title with a time of 10.20 seconds. His performance confirmed his status as the fastest man in Pakistan, finishing ahead of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Attaullah, who took silver, and HEC's Haseeb, who claimed bronze.

In the women's 100-metre final, WAPDA's Faiqa Riaz secured the gold medal in 11.56 seconds. The race saw HEC's Hawla finish with the silver medal, while Sindh's Iqra Riaz rounded out the podium by taking the bronze.

The championships began with a notable achievement for Sindh, as Mah Noor Fatima clinched the first gold medal of the event in the women's 5,000-metre race walk. She completed the distance in 32 minutes and 32.40 seconds, finishing ahead of WAPDA's Amara Munawar and Punjab's Saira.

WAPDA continued their successful campaign in the men's 20-kilometre race walk, where Muhammad Waqas claimed the gold medal. The event saw Pakistan Navy's Muhammad Younis Khan secure the silver, while WAPDA's Muhammad Gulfam added to his team's tally with a bronze medal finish.

Field events also featured prominently on the opening day, with HEC's Khadija Mehreen, representing Superior University Lahore, winning the women's shot put. Her winning throw measured 10.85 metres, placing her ahead of WAPDA duo Samia Sahar and Amna Ashiq, who took second and third place respectively.

The middle-distance events further solidified WAPDA's dominance. Nazia Ehsan won the women's 1,500 metres in a time of 5:09.78, with HEC athletes Gonash Batool and Javeria Bibi taking the silver and bronze medals respectively.

In the men's 1,500 metres, Sohail Amir secured another gold for WAPDA. HEC's Abdul Wahab finished in second place, while WAPDA's Muhammad Akram completed the podium by finishing third.

The 54th edition of the National Athletics Championships continues to serve as a primary platform for identifying top athletic talent across Pakistan. The opening day results highlighted the significant influence of institutional teams like WAPDA and HEC in the national sporting landscape.

Athletes from various provinces and departments are competing in the event, which features a diverse range of track and field disciplines. The championships are expected to continue over the coming days as participants vie for national honours.

The performance of Shajar Abbas remains a highlight of the tournament, given his established record in national sprinting. His ability to maintain top speed in the 100-metre event continues to set the benchmark for competitors in the country.

The race walking events provided a test of endurance for the participants, with the 20-kilometre distance for men and 5,000-metre distance for women drawing significant attention. These events remain a staple of the national championship schedule.

The shot put competition demonstrated the competitive nature of the field events, with close margins between the top three finishers. Khadija Mehreen's victory provided a rare gold for the HEC contingent amidst WAPDA's overall success.

As the championships progress, attention will shift to the remaining track and field events. The organisers have structured the competition to ensure that athletes have the opportunity to showcase their skills in both individual and team-based formats.

The results from the first day provide a clear indication of the current form of Pakistan's leading athletes. Coaches and selectors are closely monitoring the performances as they look toward future national and international commitments.

The Karachi venue has been prepared to host the multi-day event, with officials ensuring that all standard athletics protocols are followed. The atmosphere on the opening day reflected the competitive spirit of the participating athletes.

WAPDA's performance on the opening day underscores their long-standing commitment to developing athletic talent. Their success in multiple events suggests a well-structured training programme that continues to yield results at the national level.

The 54th National Athletics Championships will conclude after all scheduled events have been contested. Further updates on the medal tally and individual performances are expected as the competition moves into its next phase.

Spectators and officials are looking forward to the upcoming finals, which are expected to be highly contested. The event remains a vital component of the domestic sports calendar in Pakistan.

The dedication shown by the athletes, particularly in the endurance and sprint events, highlights the growing standard of athletics in the country. The organisers remain focused on maintaining the momentum established on the opening day.