KARACHI, May 15: Shakeel Abbasi’s hat trick including an equaliser saved Pakistan senior hockey team’s blushes which managed a 3-3 draw with Rest XI in the first match of the three-game series at Hockey Club of Pakistan. While the result should be an eye-opener for the Pakistan Hockey Federation, it also exposed senior team management’s claim of having the best possible players. The senior side has been strengthened after inducting no less than 12 junior players while eight senior members were retained, making it the strongest possible side.

Interestingly, the Rest XI have little-known standbys of the senior and junior training camps.

Although Pakistan team, recently announced for May 26 to June 5 seven-nation Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur, got off to a perfect start, they got a big fright when Rest XI bounced back to equalise Shakeel’s two strikes and even went 3-2 ahead.

Shakeel opened Pakistan seniors account in the third minute and doubled the lead in the 17th minute before Rest XI’s Mahmood Ali reduced the margin five minutes later.

Pakistan were shocked when the Rest XI levelled two minutes later through a penalty corner conversion by Saleem Khalid.

Yet more surprise was in store for Pakistan seniors, Mohammad Arif slamming home in the 53rd to move Rest XI ahead.

It was Shakeel’s effort three minutes before fulltime which allowed him to complete his treble and rescued his side from a possible defeat.

Pakistan seniors and Rest XI are scheduled to play second match at 7.30 under lights.