JULLUNDUR (India), Feb 20: Pakistan defeated India 2-1 in the third field hockey Test, securing a 3-0 lead before the teams travel to Pakistan for three more Tests. Capitalizing on Pakistan’s early dominance, Tariq Aziz opened the scoring in the 12th minute.
India equalized through Tejbir Singh in the 29th minute, deflecting a cross from the right after Rajpal Singh broke through Pakistan’s defense. But skipper Muhammad Saqlain put Pakistan back in the lead four minutes before halftime when he flicked the ball past goalkeeper Bharat Chetri. Saqlain had got the ball inside the scoring zone on a defensive error by Prabodh Tirkey.
Pakistan won the previous two Tests in the north Indian city of Chandigarh. Both teams will now cross the Wagah land border between India and Pakistan to play three Test matches in Pakistan.—AP