HYDERABAD (India), Oct 24: Two-goal Salim Khalid spared Pakistan’s blushes as they survived a fright before overcoming underdogs Nigeria 4-3 in Afro-Asian Games hockey competition here on Thursday.

Pakistan went 1-0 ahead with Ghazanfar Ali netting off a penalty corner in the fourth minute of the first half. The Africans shocked the Asian giants when Auwolo Lamido equalised.

Ali Raza once again put his side up off a 26th minute short corner conversion, while Salim deflected a Ghazanfar diagonal cross to give his side a 3-1 lead before the breather.

Nigeria, who finished fourth at the All-African Games earlier this month, went on the offensive by levelling the scores 3-3 after resumption.

Nuhu Jatau’s effort in the 52nd minute saw Nigeria reducing the margin 3-2 following some hard work by Sunday Ogodogu.

Ogodogu had his name onto the scoresheet in the 65th minute when he raided down the right flank to find the target with a rasping hit making it 3-3.

Nigeria were deprived of a share of the spoils with the former world and Olympic champions when Salim finally rescued Pakistan on a long pass barely four minutes before the end.

Meanwhile, minnows South Africa held Malaysia to a 1-1 draw, while South Korea got the better of Ghana 3-0.—Agencies