March 28, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 19, 1429

LAHORE, March 27: Khan Research Laboratories’ (KRL) strikers Mohammad Qasim and Mohammad Rasool helped Pakistan carve out a 2-0 win against Nepal at the Pokhara Stadium, Nepal, to draw the two- match football series by 1-1 on Thursday.

This was the 12th clash between the two nations. Both teams have now won four matches each with the other four ending in draw.

Even though Pakistan, ranked 166th in FIFA rankings, lost their opening match 2-1, they bounced back in the second to avoid being whitewashed at the hands of Nepal, who are ranked 188th in the world.

Both the goals were scored in the second half with the first one by the lanky Islamabad-born right winger Qasim coming in the 46th minute. The second goal was scored by the Chitral-born Mohammad Rasool in the 86th minute.

The two-match friendly series was part of the teams’ preparation before the upcoming AFC Challenge Cup and SAFF Championship. Both Pakistan and Nepal will also face each other in the Group-A clash of the SAFF Championship in Maldives on June 7 to be played at the National Stadium in Male.