WELLINGTON: A hat-trick from Pakistan drag flicker Abu Bakar Mahmood saw his side overcome hosts New Zealand 4-2 in the third test on Monday night.

Pakistan played with a raised intensity following Saturday night’s 2-2 draw, with a glut of penalty corner attempts proving too much for the Kiwis to stop.

Holding a 1-0 lead at halftime, Pakistan charged ahead with Abu Bakar delivering three second half flicks past the New Zealand penalty corner defence.

Pakistan seized the momentum early in the match and were first to score thanks to a penalty corner strike from Abdul Haseem Khan in the sixth minute.

Carrying a one goal lead into halftime, Pakistan doubled their advantage just minutes after the break when Abu Bakar slammed a drag flick low and into the side of the goal.

Abu Bakar brought up his double in the 35th minute with almost an instant replay of his first goal, following another penalty corner.

New Zealand responded in the 45th minute with Cory Bennett ripping home a penalty corner flick.

Abu Bakar scored his third with a 53rd minute strike before Stephen Jenness send home an absolute screamer with an upright reverse right on the stroke of fulltime.

With the series locked up at 1-1, the two teams now head to Wairarapa for the fourth and fifth tests on Wednesday and Thursday.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2017