GNIEZNO (Poland), Aug 17: The three-match hockey series against Poland ended in a controversy as second game was abandoned after Pakistan players exchanged hot words with umpires and rival players after a goal was disallowed.

The match was first halted for two minutes, five minutes into the first session when Polish umpires awarded three successive penalty corners and a penalty stroke.

Players protested over the decisions and rough play which caused injuries to the touring team. Pakistan’s Mohammad Imran suffered a knee injury after being pushed and brought down, while Yasir Islam also injured his hand during the play which resumed after the protest.

However, 25 minutes into the second half, there was even a bigger flare-up as Polish umpire disallowed a goal scored by Mohammad Arif. The decision infuriated the Pakistanis and they exchanged hot words with Poland players and umpires.

Following the ugly incident, the Pakistan team manager Col Abdur Rauf went into the field and it was then that the match was called off ten minutes before time with home team leading 6-5. Pakistan captain Tariq Aziz had scored all the five goals.

Polish Hockey Association (PHA) secretary also came into the field and accused the Pakistanis of unsporting behaviour.

After the fiasco, Pakistan team manager decided against playing the third match and informed about his decision to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary.

Earlier, Pakistan were downed by Poland 4-3 in the first game in which Tariq netted twice.

Meanwhile, Pakistan launch their campaign in the international junior tournament when they take on Malaysia in their opening game on Monday.

It will be contested by six teams after England and the United States of America (USA) pulled out of the competition. It will now be a single league competition in which every team play five games and the side having highest number of points will emerge as winners.

Besides Pakistan, Germany, France, India, Malaysia hosts Poland will be featuring in the week-long championship which conclude on August 24.

According to new schedule, Pakistan face Poland on Aug 20 and Germany on Aug 21. On August 23, Pakistan face France and India on Aug 24.

Pakistan team is without its coach Asif Bajwa who preferred to stay in Amstelveen, the Netherlands to attend a International Hockey Federation (FIH) coaches course.

Pakistan’s assistant coach Jan Mohammad has taken over the charge of the team in Asif’s absence who is likely to join the squad before the game against Malaysia.—APP