KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23: Pakistan moved into the final of the six-nation invitational tournament after defeating New Zealand 3-1 Wednesday.

They have collected 12 points from four matches and will complete their fixtures against Australia tomorrow.

However, it looks like the Aussies could well be the team they meet again in Saturday’s final despite being held 2-2 by Malaysia in the other match of the day.

Pakistan team manager Khalid Khokhar was happy with his players although they took the Kiwis lightly especially in the opening 35 minutes.

“The players made it hard for themselves as they thought that the Kiwis were easy meat.

“But they recovered their composure in the second half to score the two goals that made the difference.”

Pakistan started well creating numerous chances but poor finishing by Shahbaz Ahmed and Kashif Jawwad let them down.

New Zealand’s goalkeeper Michael Bevin must be given the credit as he repeatedly saved point blank shots by the skillful Pakistanis.

The Kiwis took the lead in the 12th minute through Ken Robinson whose shot sneaked past goalkeeper Qasim Muhammad.

Seconds before the half time whistle was blown, Sohail Abbas equalized by sending the ball into the roof off the Kiwi goal giving Bevin no chance at all.

It was all Pakistan in the second half as the Kiwis tried hard not to concede another goal.

Kashif Jawwad scored Pakistan’s second and his seventh in this tournament after receiving a through pass from Shahbaz Ahmed.

Six minutes later, substitute Saleem Khalid made it 3-1 for the Pakistanis.

After four matches, Pakistan has scored a massive 19 goals conceding only 3.

Malaysia produced one of their better performances when they forced a rare 2-2 draw against the mighty Australians.

With the draw, Malaysia has now collected five points whereas Australia has eight points.

As usual, Malaysia employed a defensive game against the Kookaburras and it was no surprise when the Aussies sounded the board first after just 11 minutes into the match through Troy Elder. It was his third goal in this tournament.

Australia continued to dominate but Malaysia took the opportunity to draw level in the 29th minute through skipper Mirnawan Nawawi.

But with barely a few seconds left one the clock before the half time hooter, Australia surged ahead with a beauty from Jamie Dywer to make 2-1.

After the breather, the Malaysians attacked furiously and were rewarded in the 50th minute off a penalty corner set piece.

Instead of taking a shot, Chua Boon Huat released the ball to Jiwa Mohan who flicked the ball past Australia’s goalkeeper Mark Hickman.

Malaysia could have in the 63rd minute but Tajol Rosli’s shot flew above the goalmouth.

Tabulated under played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, goals difference and points)

Pakistan 4 4 0 0 19 3 16 12

Australia 4 2 2 0 13 10 3 8

Malaysia 4 1 2 1 6 8 -2 5

Netherlands 4 1 1 2 11 10 1 4

New Zealand 4 1 1 2 7 9 -2 4

Japan 4 0 0 4 3 20 -17 0