The 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup kicked off with a thrilling showdown between Pakistan and hosts Malaysia, culminating in a hard-fought victory for the Pakistani team.
In an electrifying match held in Ipoh, Malaysia, Pakistan emerged triumphant with a narrow 5-4 win over the home team. Muhammad Sufyan Khan showcased exceptional prowess by securing a hat-trick through penalty corners in the 9th, 50th, and 58th minutes, while Zakaria Hayat and Abu Bakr sealed the victory with decisive field goals in the 53rd and final minutes, respectively.
On the Malaysian side, Abu Kamal’s hat-trick and Shiloh’s field goal kept the hosts in contention throughout the gripping encounter. With both teams delivering stellar performances, the match kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Following their opening victory, Pakistan is geared up to face South Korea in their upcoming match scheduled for Sunday. The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup features six formidable teams, including Canada, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Korea, as confirmed by the International Hockey Federation.
In an intriguing development, all teams except Japan will swiftly transition to Poland after the tournament’s conclusion to participate in the FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup.
