LAHORE - Six-day Pakistan Mint annual sports gala was formally inaugurated by Master of the Mint Misbahul Haq here on Wednesday at the Pakistan Mint ground in which two cricket knockout matches between inter-departmental teams were decided along with a tug-of-war competition between Account Office and Melting Department. Sports Secretary Saiful Islam, Security Officer Nisar Ahmad, Labour Officer Bilal Bashir, Assistant Sports Secretary Syed Akhtar Zaidi and Mohammad Nawaz Khan flanked him. According to detail, first cricket match was played between Electric Department and General Workshop which was won by former team by 39 runs. Earlier, the former team won the toss and elected to bat first. They scored 123 runs in their allotted ten-over game. Mohammad Shafique was the star who shined with bat. Zahid was the bowler who tried to rock opponent team's batting line-up by sending three players to pavilion in allotted three overs by conceding just 20 scores while Mohammad Aslam of Electric Department enthralled the spectators by his fast scoring 35 runs in which he sent the ball over the rope thrice a time with two fours. Second match was played between Medal Department and Die Department, which was won by latter team. Captain of Die Department won the toss and elected to bowl first. They sent the whole team to pavilion with a meagre figure 85 runs, which the openers of Die Department completed within six over losing only one wicket. The opener of the Die Department Mohammad Aslam carried the bat. Meanwhile, last event of the day, tug-of-war was contested between Account Office and Melting Department. The Accounts Office won the competition by uprooting and dragging the opponents with ease. Those who dragged opponents with their potential were Maqsood Ahmad, Zulqarnain Haider, Mohammad Akram, Ejaz Mehdi and Malik Shakeel. While inaugurating the gala, chief guest Misbahul Haq appreciated the organising committee of the sports gala including Works Manager Raja Fayyaz Anwar, Deputy Works Manager Mureed Abbas Jafari, Scientific Officer Gulraiz Younas, Accounts Officers Mohammad Ali Siddiqui and Mukhtar Ahmad. He especially appreciated Sports Secretary Saiful Islam and Assistant Sports Secretary Akhtar Zaidi's hectic efforts. He further said that these healthy activities of sports would further boost harmony among employees and would become a source of increased production. Two matches of volleyball and a tug-of-war contest would be decided tomorrow (Thursday) on the second day of week-long gala.