Pakistan record big wins in Asian Champions Trophy

KARACHI: Pakistan recorded two back-to-back wins in less than 24 hours to underline their status as the hot favourites for the Asian Champions Trophy crown in Doha, Qatar.

After hammering underdogs Oman 8-3 in their opening match of the tournament on Thursday night, Pakistan trounced China 5-2 in their second match on Friday evening at the Al-Rayyan Hockey Stadium.

Prolific striker Abdul Haseem Khan and Waqas Sharif scored two goals apiece against China while former captain Shakeel Abbasi also added his name to the score-sheet with a superb strike.

Earlier, Abbasi displayed a prolific showing in the match against Oman and registered a hat-trick. Waqas Sharif also performed brilliantly and scored two goals. Meanwhile, Haseem Khan, Rizwan Khan Junior and Mohammad Imran scored one goal each.

The tournament comprises six top teams from Asia – Pakistan, China, India, Oman, Malaysia and Japan.

Meanwhile, defending champions India thrashed China, recording a convincing 4-0 triumph on Thursday.

Pakistan, the top seeds in the event, are regarded as the favourites to clinch the title in Doha as the team recently won the bronze medal in the elite eight-nation Champions Trophy in Australia.

The nearest Asian rivals competing in the tournament are India, who trail at No 11 in the international rankings. Pakistan defeated India in the third place play-off of the Champions Trophy in Melbourne. The two old foes are expected to meet in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy just like last year when they faced each other in the title clash of the inaugural tournament held in China. India beat Pakistan following a penalty shoot-out in the finale.

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