DHAKA: After a gold drought for four days, Pakistan's Basharat Ali put his Pakistan back in business by grabbing gold in discus throw in the athletics event of the 11th South Asian Games at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday.

The lanky 27-year-old from Attock city, wearing chest number 215, hurled the discus to a distance of 52.43 metres to lead the field of six finalists and retain his medal which he won at Colombo in 2006.

“After Pakistan was stuck on six gold medals for the past few days, I wanted to accomplish something for the country and add another gold to our tally,” he told APP.

“I am absolutely thrilled to win laurels and glory for the country,” Basharat, a Havaldar in Pakistan Army, said.

While Basharat took the gold, Pakistani runner Haq Nawaz clocked 52.52 seconds to win the 400 metres hurdles while compatriot Liaquat Ali seized the bronze medal in 200 metres dash by clocking 1.27 seconds behind India's Abdul Najeeb Qureaisi. Shehan Saearuwan of Sri Lanka took the silver medal.