ORDOS (China), Sept 9: Pakistan and India qualified for the final of the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy here on Friday.

Pakistan’s complacency after leading 2-0 early on resulted in India staging a remarkable comeback into their last league match to hold Pakistan to a 2-2 draw. Heading the points table, Pakistan only needed a draw to reach the final but India was depending on Malaysia creating a passage for them by beating Japan which they did 3-2.

The India-Pakistan clash turned out to be a thriller as both teams played their hearts out. With temperature under seven degrees and strong winds blowing, both the teams started off slowly testing each other on the flanks and in the midfield.

In the 23rd minute, Pakistan had their first look at the Indian goal area when Shafqat Rasool found himself face-to-face with Bharat Chettri but his straight hit to was padded away by Bharat.

At the break, both the teams were locked at 0-0. Following the barren first half, Pakistan took a 2-0 lead through Mohammad Waqas (40th min) and Mohammad Irfan (42nd min) but India responded immediately with Rupinder (46th min) with Danish Mujtaba scoring the equaliser (53rd min).

According to the details, just five minutes after resumption Waseem Ahmed intercepted an Indian move and won an infringement just outside the Indian striking circle. His cross into the circle went straight to an unmarked Mohammad Waqas.

The Pakistani striker had enough time to send in a first timer that beat Indian goalkeeper Chhetri. It was a defensive lapse on India’s part for which they paid heavily.

Two minutes later, Shakeel Abbasi moved in with Pakistan’s other frontrunners to win the first penalty-corner for his team.

Mohammad Irfan sent a flyer into the right corner of the net to notch up Pakistan’s second goal.

India then fought back as Sunil and Mujtaba sped into the Pakistan striking circle and won their third penalty-corner of the match. It looked like a failed attempt when Ignace Tirkey could not stop the ball cleanly but he tapped it for Mujtaba who sent a perfect cross for Rupinder to whack the ball into the Pakistan goal.

With the score line cut to 1-2, India were back in the match as they attacked with renewed vigour. As the match progressed, the field got spread out with Pakistan looking to build on the lead while India searched desperately for the equaliser. They finally managed it after a bit of controversy when the Kiwi umpire Simon Taylor pointed for a free hit to Pakistan.

Now Pakistan on 10 points and India with nine points will battle for supremacy in the final which will be played on Sunday.

Japan and Malaysia will also meet once for the third position as they finished on an identical seven points.

Korea will play China for the fifth position. Korea has seven points too but the goal difference (-1) pushed them down the table.—Agencies