Pakistan pulls off draw against Wales at Commonwealth Games

Skipper Muhammad Rizwan senior promises team will up their game for April 7 India clash

KARACHI: Pakistan national men’s team drew their first match 1-1 against Wales in the opening encounter of the field hockey event at the Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast Hockey Centre on Thursday.

The 13th-ranked Pakistan team, with experienced players in their ranks, were only able to score one goal against the 24th-ranked Wales.

Both teams started the match aggressively and played two goalless quarters, but unexpectedly Wales drew first blood and Pakistan were seen looking to comeback in the match in the remaining time.

“This was our first game here and we are getting used to the conditions here,” Pakistan skipper Muhammad Rizwan senior told The Express Tribune. “Our coach had told us that we have to concentrate on the game and get used to the conditions for the next big match against India.”

Rizwan Sr then blamed poor showing by the team for the draw but hoped team would gee up for the next encounter against India on April 7.



“We made mistakes and missed chances which caused this draw. We could have won the match since Wales is an inexperienced team and we have experienced players. However, we are hoping to recover and prepare better for the match against India,” he said.

Other sports

In the badminton event, Pakistan lost 5-0 to Scotland in the group stage of the mixed team event.

In the mixed double event, Pakistan’s Murad Ali and Palwasha Bashir lost 0-2 to Alexander Dunn and Eleanor O’Donnell with sets of 12-21 and 13-21.

In the men’s single event, Muhammad Irfan Saeed Bhatti lost 2-0 to Kleran Merrilees with sets of 6-21 and 16-21. In women’s single event, Mahoor Shehzad lost 2-0 to Kirsty Gilmour with sets of 6-21 and 10-21.

In men’s double event, Pakistan’s Ali and Bhatti lost to Scotland’s Martin Campbell and Patrick Machugh 2-0 with the sets of 8-21 and 12-21. In Women’s double event, Mahoor and Palwasha also lost to Julie Macpherson and Eleanor 2-0 with the sets of 6-21 and 4-21.

In the men’s 100 meter backstroke heat swimming event, Pakistan’s Syed Muhammad Haseeb Tariq finished second last with a time of 59.39 seconds, while the number one swimmer, New Zealand’s Corey Main, finished with a time of 54.99 seconds.