KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8: Pakistan were edged out of the four-nation Invitation International Under-19 hockey tournanment final after being held to a 2-2 draw by hosts Malaysia at the National Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.

By virtue of the draw hosts Malaysia will face India in the final.

In a well-contested tie, Pakistan’s goal-shy forwards squandered more than half a dozen chances specially in the exciting closing minutes as well as by some great saves from Malaysian goalkeeper Khairul Nizam.

Pakistan earned nine penalty corners including five in the last 15 minutes but could convert only two.

Left half Muhammad Imran scored both the goals for Pakistan while subsitute Muhammad Izwan Hassan and Megat Azrafiq Termizi were on target for Malaysia.

Pakistan coach Ayaz Mahmood blamed missed chances for his team’s exit from the final.

Pakistan took the lead through Imran but Malaysia levelled when substitute Muhammad Izwan Hassan defelected skipper Abdul Malik’s penalty corner hit. At the half-time hooter the score was 1-1.

The home team went ahead in the 45th minute through Maget Azrafiq Termizi. Pakistan, however, equalized eight minute later with Muhammad Imran slamming the second goal on penalty corner.

Pakistan Adnan Zakir and Malaysian Kelvinder Singh were shown yellow cards for rough play.

Tomorrow is rest day and Pakistan will take on South Korea on Friday. in a match of little consequence.

Pakistan: Muhammad Adeel Ahmed, Ikhaq Ahmed, Muhammad Tariq Yameen (Muhamad Imran Khan), Muhammad Imran, Adnan Zakir, Muhammad Arif, Tariq Aziz (Captain), Muhammad Naeem Akber Abbas Haider), Yasir Islam, (Ovais Khan) Abdul Asim Khan (Sajjad Anwar), Khalid Mahmood ..

Malaysia: Khairul Nizam, Engku Abd Malek (Captain), S.Bubalan, Megat Azrafiq Termizi, Muhammad Shukri Abd Mutalib, Muhammad Sufian, Muhammad Sallehin, Muhammad Fikri Basser, Muhammad Shahrun Nabil Abdullah, Muhammad Fairus Hamsani, Tengku Ahmed Tajuddin, Muhammad Fakhrulrazi Baharudin. Umpires: Muhammad Ali (Singapore) Park Se Young (Korea).

Earlier in the first match of the evening, India stormed into the final crushing South Korea 4-0.

India got off to a flying start when Gurcharan Singh put his side ahead with the match barely a minute old.

Tushar Khandekar slammed the second with field goal in the 40th minutes and Vinay sounded the board five minutes later to put India 3-0. Khandekar scored his second and team’s fourth goal just before the final whistle to complete the rout.