In a thrilling match at the 2023 Asian Games hosted in Hangzhou, China, Pakistan’s hockey squad secured their second victory of the tournament by defeating Bangladesh on September 26.
Early in the game, Bangladesh took the lead with a skillfully executed penalty corner at the 19-minute mark, putting Pakistan on the defensive.
However, the Green Shirts showed remarkable resilience, with Afraz playing a crucial role in equalizing the score at 1-1. Afraz’s performance mirrored his outstanding contribution to Pakistan’s previous 5-2 victory over Bangladesh.
The second half witnessed Pakistan’s resurgence, with Shahzeb Khan and Mohammad Imad scoring consecutive goals in the 40th and 43rd minutes, respectively.
Although Bangladesh managed to net their second goal at the 46-minute mark, Pakistan maintained their lead thanks to Sufyan Khan’s powerful flick from a penalty corner, extending the score to 4-2.
The decisive moment came from Pakistan’s drag flick specialist, Arbaz Ahmed, who flawlessly executed a drag flick, securing the fifth and final goal for the Men in Green. Their exceptional teamwork and individual brilliance were on full display throughout the match.
Looking forward, the Green Shirts are gearing up to face Uzbekistan on September 28, as they continue their quest for supremacy in the tournament.
Their earlier match against Singapore resulted in an impressive 11-0 victory, underscoring the team’s depth and talent. Standout performances by Ammad, Arshad Liaquat, and Arbaz Ahmad, each scoring two goals, were complemented by contributions from other team members.
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