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KARACHI: Pakistan booked a place in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy after drawing 2-2 with arch-rivals India in their final group stage match in Ordos, China .
In the first half, both teams put up an attacking display but failed to convert it into goals. Five minutes into the second half, Pakistan opened the scoring through Waqas Sharif and soon solidified their lead with a second goal by Mohammad Irfan.
However, the Green Shirts squandered their lead and were denied a win by India who leveled the score through Rupinderpal and Danish Mujtaba.
Talking to DawnNews, Asif Bajwa, the Secretary General of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), said that the national team had put up a great performance and the young team had proved themselves against the big teams.
He further added that the national selectors had not closed the doors on the senior players and all seniors and juniors will be included in the Olympic preparations.
Previously in the tournament, Pakistan has won three matches, lost one and drawn one and lead the group with ten points.
Pakistan will face either India or Japan in Sunday's final.
