Ravshan Haydarov’s charges held third-placed Mashal 3-3 in the 28th round as second-placed Kuruvchi went down to Metallurg 2-1. Pakhtakor are now on 76 points, eight clear of Kuruvchi with two more games left to play.

Pakhtakor fell behind to Viktor Klishnin strike in the second minute but Anvar Soliev (20) and Timur Kapadze (42) made 2-1 for the defending champions before the break. Klishnin drew level for Mashal in the 64th minute but Soliev once again put his side ahead eight minutes from time. Rustam Kadyrov restored the parity for Mashal in the last minute.

Kuruvchi’s shocking defeat at the hands of Metallurg handed the crown to Pakhtakor. Zahid Abdullaev (46) and Bahrom Umarov (53) were on target for Metallurg while Miraziz Jalalov (62) reduced the deficit for Kuruvchi.

In other matches, Neftchi were held goalless by Shurtan, Andijan beat Vobkent 3-0, Navbahor edged past Samarqand 1-0, Nasaf downed Lokomotiv 2-1, Tupalang defeated Traktor 1-0, Bukhara outclassed Kyzylkum 3-1.

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