Pakistan suffered their second successive defeat in the Azlan Shah Cup and faced the prospect of finishing at the bottom half of the table after their 3-1 loss to India on Tuesday in Ipoh, Malaysia.

The Greenshirts, who held possession for large parts of the game, were guilty of squandering as many as eight penalty corners. They opened the scoring early in the 4th minute through Muhammad Waqas who deflected the ball into the net off the only successful penalty corner. They could have easily come out on top had it not been for some sloppy work in front of goal on the several opportunities they received thereafter.

Whether it was nerves or just poor technique, the Indian side were clearly unaffected by repeated Pakistani incursions and shot back through goals from Rupinder Pal Singh (5th) and young India forwards Akashdeep Singh (9th) and Mandeep Singh (56th).

In the end Pakistan will have only themselves to blame for the defeat which may also deprive them of a podium finish.

Next, Pakistan take on hosts Malaysia on March 14 while their last game will pit them against Korea on March 16.