Dad spanks Pak to level series

KARACHI, March 7: A Packed house screaming hoarse and projectiles in the shape of stones and orange peels towards the end only amplified Ind...

KARACHI, March 7: A Packed house screaming hoarse and projectiles in the shape of stones and orange peels towards the end only amplified India’s courage and conviction, as they romped to a scintillating 2-0 victory over Pakistan at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium here today.

The tempo that had been building up since the second Test peaked today as the determined visitors squared the series in the four-match Pakistan leg. Even though Pakistan claimed the Habib bank Trophy with a better goal average (eight goals against India’s seven), today’s win has put India on a strong footing before the Indian leg.

Dad, who scored the winner at Lahore, struck twice in 12 minutes to take the fight out of the tired and dejected Pak side.

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Seven penalty corners were missed again todaybut the Indian dominance was such that the Pakistanis looked like going through the motions in the last quarter. Lack of fitness, then, proved to be the major hurdle for them. Pakistan were undermined by off-colour Tahir Zaman and abottled-up Shahbaz. Dhanraj Pillay failed to beat goalkeeper Ahmed Alam twice, but the midfield was adeptly handled by Sabu Varkey and Rajesh Chauhan in the first half.

India grabbed the match in the second half. Dad, who came in for Harbhajan Singh, did enough to ge the attacks going from the left flank too. With Saini and Mukesh Kumar working hard on the right, Pakistan struggled to keep their citadel safe. But the first dent came soon.

In a counter-attack from the right, Pillay got a touch which rolled off Ahmed Alam’s pads, and Samir lurking near the goal post deflected it home.Pakistan rung the changes but India were unruffled. Tirkey’s clearance was trapped by Mukesh who beat Wasim Ahmed to move near the circle and sent a crisp cross that found an unmarked Dad rushing to meet the ball. His first timer left Alam rooted.

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