Pakistan keep England at bay to record 2-2 draw

Published June 30, 2013
Imran Butt. -File photo by Sara Faruqi/Dawn.com
Imran Butt. -File photo by Sara Faruqi/Dawn.com

KARACHI: Pakistan made another comeback to hold England 2-2 in a fast-paced game in their second match of the World Hockey League on Sunday in Johor, Malaysia.

Pakistan, who were 2-1 down at half-time, had the upper hand in the second half but could only manage a draw.

Oliver Willars put England ahead in the 12th minute, scoring from a deflection off Pakistan's goalkeeper Imran Shah. However, just a few minutes later, Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran scored the equaliser through a penalty corner.

Adam Dixon put England in the lead again with a penalty corner and the Greenshirts went into the second half with the score line not in their favour, despite an attempt from Mohammad Zubair to equalise minutes before the break.

In the early minutes of the second half, Abdul Haseem Khan scored the equaliser through a penalty corner and Pakistan kept up their momentum, constantly threatening England.

Imran Butt replaced Shah eight minutes before full-time and the difference was obvious as he kept England at bay with some brilliant saves, particulary one in the dying minutes of the match against Ashley Jackson, to keep the score tied.

Pakistan's second half performance should have seen them score the winner but England goalkeeper George Pinner did well to deny the Greenshirts.

The result leaves Pakistan with two points in Group B in the eight-nation tournament, after recording a 4-4 draw against hosts Malaysia in the opener on Saturday.

Pakistan will now play South Africa on July 2.

The day's other matches saw Argentina beat Japan 7-1 and Germany ease past Korea 5-0.

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