March 20, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 11, 1429

LAHORE, March 19: Two goals by Waqas Sharif helped Pakistan trounce China by an impressive 5-0 margin in the fourth Test of the five-match series at Changzhou on Wednesday.

After being stunned by the hosts 4-2 in the opening clash, Pakistan have come back superbly in the series, winning the last three matches on the trot to take an unassailable lead of 3-1. The visitors won the second Test 2-0 and the third 3-1.

According to the information received here, Pakistan outclassed the Chinese in every department in this fourth encounter. Pakistan began briskly with their frontline storming the Chinese citadel in the opening moments of the first half. Prolific goal scorer Waqas Sharif broke through from the right flank as early as in the second minute to find the net. He was followed by striker Shakeel Abbasi three minutes later as he flicked the ball from an acute angle from the left to double the lead.

With brilliant assistance from the midfield, with centre-half Mohammad Saqlain streamlining the attack with precision, Pakistan’s forwards were just unstoppable. The lead was stretched further in the 28th minute when pivot Saqlain and experienced striker Rehan Butt executed an excellent move from the midfield with Rehan hammering his first goal of the series as Pakistan led 3-0 at the end of the first half.

On resumption of play, the Chinese made a desperate attempt to come back into the game with successive moves but all their efforts were foiled by Pakistan’s strong defence comprising Zeeshan Ashraf, Mohammad Atiq and goalkeeper Salman Akbar.

Waqas struck again in the 48th minute with a fine goal, his second in the match to make it 4-0. Pakistan continued to increase the pace of the game to quell whatever resistance there was in the hosts’ camp.

Forward Shafqat Rasool then completed the tally, banging in Pakistan’s fifth goal to seal the fate of the match and with it the entire series.

Pakistan’s chief coach Khawaja Zakauddin was all praise for his lads after the game. “It was heartening to see them play such wonderful hockey. The half line functioned according to the plan and with deep defenders Zeeshan and Atiq firing on all cylinders, our defence was impregnable today.”

“The team worked like a well-oiled machine. The forwards were combining well and got fine assistance from the midfield. However, we will try not to become complacent in the fifth Test which will be played on Friday,” he added.