LAHORE: In a warm-up match ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy, Pakistan and China played to a 4-4 draw on Tuesday.

The event is scheduled to take place in Hulunbuir City, China, from Sept 8 to Sept 17.

The first half concluded with the score tied at 2-2. For Pakistan, Sufyan scored twice from penalty corners, while Abdul Rahman and Emad Butt each contributed a goal.

In a logistical setback, the Pakistani team faced considerable travel difficulties on Tuesday morning. Their flight from Beijing to a nearby city was cancelled, forcing them to undertake a road journey of approximately 300 kilometers to reach Hulunbuir City.

The Asian Champions Trophy will feature other teams alongside Pakistan and China, including India, South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia.

It’s worth noting that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), grappling with financial constraints, purchased the tickets on debit and has yet to disburse any travel allowances to players and officials.

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has pledged to reimburse the PHF for these expenses in the near future. Additionally, the PSB had previously declined to fund a training camp for the Pakistan under-18 baseball team, which is set to compete in the Asian Championships in Chinese Taipei this September, citing similar financial difficulties.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2024