Hockey: Pakistan win series against New Zealand by 2-1

WELLINGTON - On Thursday Pakistan won a five matches series with 2-1 after a well-earned 1-1 draw against New Zealand at Trust House Hockey Wairarapa complex in the fifth and final test.

Goal Scores: New Zealand: (Sam Lane, 1)

PAKISTAN: (Abdul Haseem Khan, 1)

Halftime: 0-0

The Vantage Black Sticks dominated with better pace and cohesion than last night, but both teams went into the halftime break locked at 0-0.

The Kiwis in the third quarter received a couple of penalty corners along the way but couldn’t hammer home the advantage.

Their best chances in the third quarter came from penalty corners, with Cory Bennett on target but his shot was swatted away after a great reflex save from Pakistan keeper Amjad Ali.

New Zealand’s second penalty corner resulted in a green card to Muhammad Arslan Qadir but Sam Lane’s bullet of a shot sailed just wide of the post.

Pakistan broke the deadlock just two minutes into the final quarter with captain Abdul Haseem Khan again the goal scorer following his double in last night’s test.

Coach Smith said Pakistan were impressive throughout the series, which they won 2-1, especially through the defensive midfield area.

Team: Amjad Ali, Mazhar Abbas, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Mohammad Aleem Bilal, Nawaz Ashfaq, Abu Bakar Mahmood, Tasawar Abbas, Tazeem-ul-Hassan, Mohammad Rizwan Junior, Mohammad Atif Mushtaq, M. Faisal Qadir, Mohammad Irfan Junior, Mohammad Umar Bhutta (V. Capt), Abdul Haseem Khan (Captain), Ali Shan, Ajaz Ahmad, Muhammad Dilber, Mohammad Azfar Yaqoob, Muhammad Arslan Qadir and Umair Sarfaraz.

Pakistan team will leave Australia, where they will play tests at Marrara Hockey Centre, Darwin on March 28, 29, 31 and April 1.

Additional reporting and picture from NZ Hockey.