Pakistan hockey team’s opening match in the Commonwealth Games against South Africa ended in 2-2 draw on Saturday.
A last-minute equalizer by Afraz helped Pakistan avoid defeat in Birmingham.
South Africa and Pakistan took each other in their opening Commonwealth Games encounter in Birmingham this morning. It’s been just over a year since South Africa stunned the world with a massive victory against Germany at the Tokyo Olympics and they were looking to bring that same resilience to a tournament that was originally scheduled to take place in South Africa.
South Africa were in front once again as Matthew Guise-Brown converted a penalty stroke in the fourth quarter with less than six minutes remaining in the match.
Pakistan won a penalty corner with 40 seconds remaining on the clock when the ball struck Beauchamp on the foot. And with 20 seconds left they put the ball in the back of the net to pull level and devastate South Africa.
Ten teams, divided in two groups, will participate in the men’s hockey event. Pakistan are placed in Pool A alongside Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Scotland. Top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
Pakistan’s next match is against New Zealand tomorrow. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s matches against Scotland and Australia are on 3rd and 4th August, respectively.
