Pakistan hold India to 1-1 draw in hockey Test

07 Oct, 2004

Pakistan held a spirited Indian side to a 1-1 draw in the sixth match of an eight-Test field hockey series here on Wednesday.
Ghazanfar Ali scored for Pakistan and Ignace Tirkey for India, as the visiting side fought hard to turn their 3-1 lead in the series to an unbeatable margin.
India dominated the game but failed to convert their chances, which included five wasted penalty-corners, while Pakistan's attack-line failed to sparkle and was able to earn just two.
India, playing in the series without top stars like Dhanraj Pillay, Gagan Ajit Singh and Prabhjot Singh, did a creditable job as captain Dilip Tirkey too could not take the field due to an injury.
Tirkey, considered the backbone of the Indian defence, was hit in the face while trying to defend a penalty-corner during the last match in New Delhi.
"I thought the Indians played very well today. In fact we were lucky to get away with a draw," said Pakistan skipper Waseem Ahmed. "We can expect the remaining matches to be tough as well."
India started out well but conceded a goal against the run of play.
Ghazanfar Ali scored with an indirect variation of a penalty-corner in the 22nd minute, which was awarded when Vivek Gupta brought down Pakistani striker Rehan Butt.
India reduced the margin 10 minutes later as Ignace Tirkey deflected in a free-hit from the left flank.
But India could not press on and only had the satisfaction of preventing Pakistan ace penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas from getting past Dutch legend Paul Litjens in the list of all-time goal scorers.
Abbas drew level with Litjens in the last match as he scored two goals to reach the world record of 267. He had started the series at 261.
But Abbas is almost certain to get more chances in the remaining two matches of the series to be held in Amritsar (October 8) and Hyderabad (October 10).
The first leg of four matches of the series was held in Pakistan.

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