ISLAMABAD: Pakistan overpowered Bangladesh 8–2 in the opening match of their Hockey World Cup qualifying series. The match, played in Dhaka, marked a strong start for Pakistan as the winner of the three-match series will advance to the World Cup qualifying round.
From Pakistan, Ahmed Nadeem and Afraz scored two goals each, while captain Imad Butt, Ghazanfar Ali, Rana Waheed Ashraf and Hanan Shahid added one goal apiece.
The hosts began confidently, blocking three early attacks from Pakistan. However, Pakistan soon seized the lead when captain Imad Butt converted a penalty stroke in the fourth minute. During the play, Bangladesh goalkeeper Roman Sarkar suffered a head injury and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.
Before the end of the first quarter, Huzaifa levelled the score for Bangladesh with a reverse hit. But in the 19th minute, Nadeem restored Pakistan’s advantage. Bangladesh’s goals came from Huzaifa and Ameer-ul-Islam. Their captain, Razzaul Karim Babu, admitted defensive mistakes and expressed determination to improve in the remaining fixtures.
The second match of the Pakistan-Bangladesh series will be played on 14 November (today), followed by the final match on 16 November.
Pakistan Hockey Federation President Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti and Secretary General Olympian Rana Mujahid Ali Khan congratulated the national team on their commanding first win. The series champion will secure a place in the Hockey World Cup qualifiers.
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