LAHORE, (MILLAT/APP): After winning the five test
series in New Zealand, Pakistan hockey team has arrived
in Australia for a 4 test series on Saturday.
In New Zealand, the 14th ranked Pakistan came from
behind to win the series 2-1, with two matches ending in a draw.
The hosts stand 8th in the FIH rankings, said the
information available to APP here.
First three tests were live streamed and the gradual
improvement was there to be seen.
After losing the first test 3-4, Pakistan drew the
next 2-2 and then outclassed the opponents 4-2 in the third.
The green shirts went ahead in the series with a 2-1 win
in the fourth test and managed to hold the black sticks 1-1
in the last test.
Pakistan side for this tour is without many senior players
including Fareed (Pakistan’s captain in their last international appearance at the Asian Champions Trophy), Rizwan Sr, Rashid, Mohammad Irfan Sr (another former national captain) and Tauseeq.
Four players wore the senior national shirts for the first time: Abubakr
Mahmood, Atif Mushtaq, Tazeemul Hassan and Umair Sarfraz.
Of them, Abubakr emerged as a surprise package. In his very
first outing, he converted a penalty corner in the second test.
The next test proved to be the turning point in the series
and Abubakr was Pakistan’s hero with a hat-trick off penalty
corner goals.
Skipper Haseem Khan distinguished himself with
a number of crucial goals especially in the latter part of
the series. Goal Keeper Amjad also performed outstandingly.
But it was a wonderful team performance throughout.
Admittedly, bilateral series are mainly to blood new
talent and try various combinations. But these days, with
all the top sides having business houses as their sponsors,
the results are also important.
Hockey New Zealand has a partnership with Vantage Windows & Doors as the
naming rights sponsor. Hence it was Vantage Black Sticks vs Pakistan.
Importantly, it would do a lot of good for the morale of
the Pakistan team.
Now, they should face Australia, world’s top team, with
greater confidence.
All the four tests in Australia are scheduled to be
played at Marrara Hockey Centre in Darwin on March 28, 29,
31 and April 1.
Australian coach, the former great Coln Batch, means business,
“I believe the team we have selected will be able to show
Darwin just why they are ranked number 1 in the world when they take on Pakistani in the four game test.”
APP/msa/msh/sho