Pakistan lost to Malaysia in their first match of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in Chennai on Thursday.
The green shirts displayed solid temperament in the first two quarters but Malaysia took a 2-0 lead till half-time to put the inexperienced Pakistan side under pressure.
Faisal Saari and Farhan Sarri partnered twice to provide a 2-0 lead to Malaysia. Faisal scored the first goal with a superb assist from his partner Farhan in second quarter.
Soon after the first goal, the duo went on to score another goal.
Faisal constructed another goal for Malaysia as Silverius Shello made the most of the pass and netted the ball successfully. 3-0 up Malaysia ruled the game thereafter and started their Asian event’s campaign on a winning note.
Pakistan squad
Muhammad Umar Bhatta (c), Akmal Hussain, Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Ehtsham Aslam, Osama Bashir, Aqeel Ahmed, Arshad Liaquat, Muhammad Imad, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Zakaria Hayat, Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf (Vice Captain), Roman, Muhammad Murtaza Yaqoob, Muhammad Shahzaib Khan, Afraz, Abdul Rahman, while the standby includes Ali Raza, Muhammad Baqir, Muhammad Nadeem Khan, Abdul Wahab, Waqar Ali, Muhammad Arsalan and Abdul Qayyum.
Pakistan’s remaining matches schedule
August 4 – vs Korea
August 6 – vs Japan
August 7 – vs China
August 9 – vs India
