Pakistan has prominently been leading in the 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Pakistan’s fifth match today took place at 1pm today against New Zealand. Both the teams, Pakistan and Japan, had already qualified for the final on Wednesday. This match was the last match before the final, concluding the exact position of each team in the points table. Pakistan stands at the first spot with a total 11 points, Japan following with 10 points and then New Zealand with 7 points. The captain of the National Hockey team is the experienced player Ammad Shakeel with vice- captain Abu Bakr.
Elucidating the course of this match, neither team had scored before half-time. By the end, with one point on each side, the match ended in a draw. Consequently, Pakistan has remained unbeaten in the entire series defeating Malaysia, South Korea, Canada. The third match with Japan and this match with New Zealand both ended in a draw. Japan although ranked at number 2 in the points table has the same number of wins and draws as Pakistan. The final therefore is expected to be closely contested.
The nail-biting showdown will be held on May 11 at the Azlan Shah Stadium.
