KARACHI: Pakistan on Thursday scored their biggest win in the World Cup qualifiers underway at the Metropole Hockey Club in Lille, France, thumping Japan 6-1 in a lop-sided contest.

Pakistan are now heading the table with 12 points. Japan have nine and Poland and France seven with Poland ahead on better goal average. Having lost all their four matches, Russia and Italy have yet to earn a point.

According to the information received here, Pakistan were 2-0 at halftime with fullback Sohail Abbas, showing fine form, opening for them by converting a penalty-corner in the 19th minute followed by a field goal by frontrunner Rehan Butt in the 30th.

Japan started the second session by making it 1-2 in the 42nd minute. The goal, which ultimately became their consolation goal, was scored by Katsuyoshi Nagasawa.

Pakistan, on a scoring spree, saw Sohail Abbas converting another penalty-corner in the 52nd minute followed by three more goals by forwards Mohammad Zubair (54th min), Rehan Butt (56th min) and Shakeel Abbasi (61st min).

Meanwhile, in the day’s other matches Poland beat Italy 4-1 while France beat Russia 4-3.

Friday is again a rest day in the tournament. Saturday’s fixtures: Pakistan v Poland; Russia v Italy; France v Japan.