February 18, 2006	Saturday	Muharram 19, 1427

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CHANDIGARH, Feb 17: Opportunistic strikes by Tariq Aziz and Shakeel Abbasi clinched Pakistan a 2-1 victory against India in the first match of the six-match series on Friday.

Aziz opened the scoring with a flash strike in the 15th minute, shooting past bewildered goalkeeper Bharat Chetri after getting the ball during a melee in the Indian scoring circle.

India pressed hard for an equalizer, but failed to convert its dominance into a goal as Pakistan’s defenders fell back to guard their citadel.

Pakistan stretched the lead in the 56th minute as Abbasi capitalized on a penalty corner rebound from the goalkeeper, who had blocked Mudassar Ali’s drag-flick.

Tushar Khandekar pulled a goal back for India in the 63rd minute on a pass from Arjun Halappa, but Pakistan defied India a chance to draw level.

The annual test series between the sub-continental archrivals features six Test matches.

The second Test match will be played on Saturday in Chandigarh, followed by the third encounter in the northern Indian city of Jalandhar on Monday.

Both teams will then cross the Wagah land border between India and Pakistan to play three Tests in Pakistan.—AP