Pakistan out of Azlan Shah hockey title race

Hindustan Times

Pakistan were ruled out of the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament title race on Monday when favourties New Zealand snatched a late 2-3 win over the former champions in Malaysia.

With back-to-back defeats, Pakistan are now out of the running for a place in the April 12 final after hosts Malaysia beat them in identical scoreline on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in the other match of the day, Malaysia registered their second successive win in the five-nation event, outplaying debutants Egypt 4-1.

With this victory, the hosts are now one step closer towards the title clash.

The encounter between New Zealand and Pakistan was a close fought battle as the match went till the wire with the Black Sticks sealing the victory just two minutes from the hooter through a penalty stroke.

The Black Sticks, who came into the event with a young squad, scored through Priyesh Bana (seventh minute), Nicholas Haig (44th), and Dean Couzins (68th), while Dilawar Hussain (eighth) and Mohamed Imran (23) found the net for Pakistan.

The other match between Malaysia and newcomers Egypt was a one-sided affair with the hosts sounding the board thrice in the second half to score their second successive win in the invitational tournament.