Pakistan promoted to Asian Rugby Championship after win against Uzbekistan

After wining with huge margin during first test, Pakistan lose to Uzbekistan 38-24 in match held in Lahore

KARACHI: Pakistan got promoted to the Asian Rugby Championship Division II C after winning two-test series against Uzbekistan on overall points.

The team played their second and final test match with Uzbekistan and they lost 38-24, however, it was their impressive win in the first test 44-13 on April 28 that saved the day for them in Lahore.

The matches were played for the Asia Rugby Championship Division III C, while being the winners of the 15-a-side series they will get a chance to be promoted next year in in Division II, which according to the Asia Rugby website is also the qualifier for the Rugby World Cup 2023.

"I still feel this was just enough but there is something missing,' Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) head coach coach Shakeel Ahmed told The Express Tribune after the match. "I wanted the team to win both the matches so this could have been a more convincing win."



Ahmed said that he prepared the team over the period of four months at the national camp and the squad had seven rookies, while experienced players like captain Kashif Khwaja made the win easy and took responsibility during the matches, despite there seemed to be some pressure that they felt in the second match.

"We tried to make a balanced squad but there were lots of changes too over the months as rugby is a full physical contact sport and Uzbeks are a tough team to face as well," he added.

The PRU chief believes that "the next year will be challenging for the players as Division II will be a tough test too".

"It is going to be difficult, but our team is structured well, I don't have to worry, my players should, but rugby is a skill sport, and we will be prepared for 2020," he said, adding that Pakistani team was playing its first match at home in five years and the players were more confident, while they had the weather conditions on their side.