Pakistan keep England at bay to record 2-2 draw

Published June 30, 2013
Imran Butt. -File photo by Sara Faruqi/Dawn.com
Imran Butt. -File photo by Sara Faruqi/Dawn.com

KARACHI: Pakistan made another comeback to hold England 2-2 in a fast-paced game in their second match of the World Hockey League on Sunday in Johor, Malaysia.

Pakistan, who were 2-1 down at half-time, had the upper hand in the second half but could only manage a draw.

Oliver Willars put England ahead in the 12th minute, scoring from a deflection off Pakistan's goalkeeper Imran Shah. However, just a few minutes later, Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran scored the equaliser through a penalty corner.

Adam Dixon put England in the lead again with a penalty corner and the Greenshirts went into the second half with the score line not in their favour, despite an attempt from Mohammad Zubair to equalise minutes before the break.

In the early minutes of the second half, Abdul Haseem Khan scored the equaliser through a penalty corner and Pakistan kept up their momentum, constantly threatening England.

Imran Butt replaced Shah eight minutes before full-time and the difference was obvious as he kept England at bay with some brilliant saves, particulary one in the dying minutes of the match against Ashley Jackson, to keep the score tied.

Pakistan's second half performance should have seen them score the winner but England goalkeeper George Pinner did well to deny the Greenshirts.

The result leaves Pakistan with two points in Group B in the eight-nation tournament, after recording a 4-4 draw against hosts Malaysia in the opener on Saturday.

Pakistan will now play South Africa on July 2.

The day's other matches saw Argentina beat Japan 7-1 and Germany ease past Korea 5-0.

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...