IPOH: A brace by Sufyan Khan was not enough for Pakistan to register their first win at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup as the side drew 2-2 against Japan on Friday.

Sufyan had helped Pakistan gain a 2-0 lead in the first 20 minutes of the contest, scoring both goals off penalty corners in a space of just three minutes.

Japan, however, fought back and reduced the deficit to half via Fukudo Kentaro’s 42nd-minute strike before equalising a goal through Kawabe Kosei 12 minutes later.

The draw was Pakistan’s second in a row after their match against hosts Malaysia ended in a 1-1 stalemate on Wednesday. The green-shirts opened their campaign with a 4-1 loss against South Africa.

Pakistan, led by Umer Bhutta, are currently placed fifth in the six-team tournament.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2022