Pakistan finish second on points table after draw with New Zealand in Azlan Shah Cup

Pakistan Friday secured a 1-1 draw in their match against New Zealand in the 30th Azlan Shah Hockey Cup.

Pakistan’s fifth match, which was played in Malaysia’s Ipoh city, saw them remain unbeaten throughout the tournament.

The match ended in a draw, with both teams securing one point each.

Both Pakistan and New Zealand had not scored by half-time. Senior player Ammad Shakeel is leading the 18-member squad with Abu Bakr as the vice-captain.

New Zealand took the lead in the 35^th minute through a field goal by Luke Holmes. However, Pakistan got an equalizer in the 43^rd minute when Abu Bakar Mahmood scored a goal on a penalty corner. Both teams failed to add any other goal and match ended in a tie.

New Zealand is the top-ranked team in the event having 10^th place on the IHF rankings.

15^th-ranked Pakistan will now face 16^th-ranked Japan in the final of the event on Saturday. Japan ended the round robin stage on top of the table after they defeated Canada 3-1.

New Zealand hold the third position with seven points while Malaysia follow them with six points and are likely to go on third as they are leading South Korea in their last match.

Pakistan have won their three matches against Malaysia, South Korea and Canada while the ones against Japan and New Zealand ended in a draw.