In the 30th Azlan Shah Hockey Cup, Pakistan clinched a draw against New Zealand on Friday, maintaining an unblemished record throughout the tournament.
The game concluded without a clear victor, resulting in both teams securing a single point each, as confirmed by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
The encounter, Pakistan’s fifth match, unfolded in Malaysia’s Ipoh city at 1pm (PKT).
Notably, neither side managed to score by half-time, highlighting a fiercely contested battle.
Guiding the 18-member squad is seasoned player Ammad Shakeel, with Abu Bakr serving as the vice-captain.
Currently, Pakistan dominates the points table with 11 points, closely trailed by Japan with a single point less.
New Zealand occupies the third spot with seven points, while Malaysia follows closely with six points.
The upcoming final match, scheduled for 5:30pm (PKT) on Saturday at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, will feature Pakistan and Japan, both having emerged victorious in their respective matches on Wednesday.
Pakistan secured a narrow 5-4 victory over Canada, while Japan overcame hosts Malaysia with a score of 2-1.
Reflecting on their performance, head coach Roelant Oltmans expressed anticipation for an improved showing by the Pakistani team in the tournament.
Oltmans, aged 69, boasts extensive experience with Pakistan’s senior and junior teams since 2004, having recently been involved with the youth side.
Notably, Pakistan has clinched the Azlan Shah Cup title thrice before, triumphing in 1999, 2000, and 2003, and secured third place in the previous edition held in Ipoh in 2022.
Malaysia stands as the defending champions for this year’s edition.
