Goal-scoring machine: Seven-foot tall Akhtar puts Pakistan in command

Scores staggering 65 goals in just two matches to steer side to top of table

KARACHI: Towering Muhammad Akhtar scored a combined total of 65 goals to help Pakistan’s netball team win both their opening matches against Singapore and Hong Kong on the first day of the inaugural Asian Men’s Netball Championship at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on Friday.

In the first match, Pakistan defeated Singapore 51-16 as seven-foot-tall Akhtar scored 31 goals, while Muhammad Zuhair and Zahid Iqbal contributed 12 and eight goals respectively as their team opened their account in the tournament.

Later on, Pakistan defeated Hong Kong 52-20 with Akhtar once again scoring a staggering 34 goals and Zohair and Iqbal chipping in with 12 and six goals to help Pakistan gain two more points.



At the end of the first day, Pakistan had collected four points and led the points table.

Meanwhile, Malaysia and India drew their match 30-all, whereas Brunei defeated Hong Kong 27-26 in their respective first round fixtures.

In the second round, India thrashed Singapore 53-14 and Malaysia defeated Brunei 31-24.

Next up for Pakistan will be Brunei, arch-rivals India and Malaysia, with all three matches set to take place on Saturday.

“We put on a good show in the first two matches and are optimistic of winning the next matches too and clinch the title,” Akhtar told The Express Tribune from Malaysia. “We are in a strong position and can beat India easily.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2016.

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