KARACHI: Host Ireland came from behind twice to draw the opening match of the three-match series 2-2 against Pakistan hockey team 2-2 at the Lisnagarvey Hockey Club in Belfast on Friday.

According to information made available here, greenshirts went ahead early in the 9th minute when Aleem Bilal converted a penalty corner with a powerful drag flick. But the lead didn’t last long as Connor Harte, who was playing his 200th international, availed a pass from Shane O’ Donoghue in the 17th minute to level the scores to the cheers of the crowd.

Just two minutes before half time, Ali Shan restored the lead for Pakistan when he put the ball in the post after a Dilber try had rebounded off the goal keeper’s pads.

Pakistan managed to maintain the lead in the third quarter but Jeremy Duncan finished off an excellent combined move involving Alan Sothern and Matthew Nelson to make it 2-2 before the referee blew the final whistle.

The second match of the series is scheduled for Saturday. Pakistan hockey team is aiming to get important practice and acclimatization in the European conditions in this series against Ireland before the Hockey World League which is a gateway to World Cup 2018.

The World League semifinals are scheduled to begin from June 15 in London.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2017