LAHORE, May 5: Kazakhstan women hockey team took 1-0lead in the four Test match series when they defeated Pakistan 2-0 in the opener at the National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.
The super-fit visitors showed their total domination in the match as they kept the Pakistani forwards at bay. However, poor finishing deprived Kazakhstan of earning a big margin win after taking 2-0 lead in the first half.
They lost seven short-corners, out of total eight theyearned. Besides, the visitors also missed no less than eight sitters. Kazakhstan drew the first blood when Soboleva Olessya converted a penalty-corner in the 10th minute after wasting first two.
Olessaya rolling shot found the cage. The visitors kept their pressure and finally made it 2-0 inthe 24th minute. An accurate hit from the top of the circle from Podahivalova Natalya found the net. The lead remained intact till the final whistle.
Pakistan came close to scoring when skipper Razia Malik's angular pass from left side was missed by her teammates. The next three Tests will be played at the same venue on May6, 8 and 10.
Teams.
Pakistan: Tehseen Safdar (goalkeeper), Leena Afroze, Saba Saeed, Nida Bashir, Rabia Qadir, Saima Afzal, Neelma Hussain, Amina Mir, Azra Nasir, Zakia Gul, Razia Malik (captain), Sonia Khan.
