Sohail stars in Rauf XI’s triumph

Published November 17, 2003

KARACHI, Nov 16: Pakistan ace penalty corner striker Sohail Abbas struck thrice in Abdur Rauf XI’s 4-0 victory over Zubair XI in the 14th Ramazan festival hockey tournament at UBL Sports Complex on Sunday.

Two penalty corner conversions in the 15th and 21st minutes of the first session by Sohail gave the winners a 2-0 lead. Pakistan junior forward Mudassir Abbas chipped in with one, five minutes into the second half.

Sohail, who skipped the recently-concluded Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad, India, because of personal commitments, was once again on target through his famous drag-flick in the 60th minute.

On Saturday, full-back Imran Warsi, ignored by the national selectors, banged home a second half short corner to help Gulfaraz XI draw 1-1 with Munawwar-uz-Zaman XI.

Pakistan spearhead Kashif Jawwad, who also missed the Indian event owing to domestic problems, opened the Munawwar-uz-Zaman XI account in the 10th minute of the first half only to see his effort being cancelled out by promising Imran in the 59th minute.

Abdur Rauf XI meet Munawwar-uz-Zaman XI in the first semifinal on Tuesday, while Gulfaraz XI face Zubair XI in the second semis on Wednesday.

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