KARACHI, March 10: Pakistan shrugged off a first half scare to overcome a battling Malaysia 5-2 in the first match of the junior hockey series at Hockey Club of Pakistan on Wednesday.

The game burst into life as Pakistan rattled the tourists in the 7th minute when inspirational left-winger Akhtar Ali poached the first following some hard work by Adnan Zakir.

The Malaysians immediately retailiated but were denied by Pakistan goalkeeper Mohammad Iqbal who blocked a Sufian Mohamad push. Pakistan's Kashif Yaqoob wasted a golden opportunity when he took too long to act on an inch-perfect pass from Akhtar near the 25-yard line, although the defence was beaten.

Continuous incursions by the Malaysians paid dividend as they put the game on an even keel in the 20th minute through a Amerrullah Abdul Aziz scoop that sailed over Iqbal and into the net.

Iqbal compensated ten minutes later bringing off yet another save when he sent the ball to safety off a Jivan Mohan effort during the second penalty corner.

Despite having two specialists - Imran Warsi and Mohammad Imran, Pakistan continued their poor run in the penalty corner department as they got no less than five short corners and converted only one.

While Imran failed to score, it was Tariq Aziz's weak deflection that trickled into the net, Malaysian defender Engku Abd Malek failed to stop the ball from crossing the goal- line in the 32nd minute.

Malaysians bounced back to equalise two minutes into the second session, Prahbakaran Periyathamby flicking the ball into the cage after picking a rebound.

Mohammad Imran was frustrated when his push was well taken by a defender off the third penalty corner in the 39th minute. Pakistan again surged ahead when captain Tariq Aziz won the possession on a loose ball in the circle and conjured up the third goal in the 40th minute.

The hosts received a telling blow in the 41st minute when Akhtar spewed blood after a Abd Malek's full-blooded hit struck his chest forcing the forward to leave the field for medical treatment.

Tariq Aziz fed Adnan who squandered the chance in the 47th minute, while Mohammad Imran returned empty-handed on a fourth penalty corner in the 52nd minute.

A minute later, Yasir missed another sitter while trying to score through a reverse hit. Malaysia came near levelling but failed after a dreadful miss by Azli Misron in the 54th minute.

Pakistan made it 4-2 in the 58th minute when a move between Adnan and Mahmood ended on a clinically taken goal by Kashif on a rebound.

Yasir, whose try was blocked by Malaysian goalkeeper Hanafi Hasan in the 60th minute, finally got the fifth two minutes later, deflecting a Imran Khan hit. The two sides, playing a four-match series, meet on 3.00pm on Thursday.

Pakistan Juniors: