Pakistan hockey team has improved its rankings after impressive performance during the ongoing FIH Nations Cup.
After thrashing Canada 8-1 and draw against Malaysia, Pakistan have jumped two spots to 14th on the FIH Rankings.
After losing final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024, Pakistan had slipped to 16th from 15th in the FIH Rankings.
It must be noted that Pakistan defeated Canada 8-1 in their second match of the ongoing FIH Nations Cup in Gniezno, Poland, on Monday.
Four goals by Rana Waheed Ashraf, a brace by Ghazanfar Ali, and one each by Abdul Rehman and Hannan Shahid cruised the Green Shirts to a dominant victory.
Canada’s Sean Davis opened the scoring in the second minute of the match but Pakistan responded after no less than five minutes as Waheed Ashraf equalled the game with a brilliant strike.
Pakistan’s lead was doubled by Rana in the 27th minute and the Green Shirts ended the second quarter with a one-goal lead.
The third quarter was no different from the second one as the Green Shirts scored one more goal with Ghazanfar Ali finding the back of the box.
However, the best was yet to come as the Green Shirts played an attacking game and scored five more goals, leaving no room for the Canadian side. What was more impressive than Pakistan’s five goals in the last quarter was that all of them came in the last 10 minutes.
In the first match against Malaysia, Pakistan made an excellent comeback and secured a draw with a last-minute goal.
Malaysia had a three-goal lead in the first quarter but Pakistan, known for their resilience, didn’t give up and levelled the match.
Pakistan will now face France in their final pool match of the tournament on June 5.
Top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals of the event.
