Pakistan have made a winning start in the Hockey World Cup Qualifying Round, defeating Bangladesh by a whopping 8–2.
As per the details, Pakistan’s Ahmad Nadeem and Afraz scored two goals each while captain Imad Butt, Ghazanfar Ali, Rana Waheed Ashraf and Hannan Shahid netted one goal apiece.
From Bangladesh, Huzaifa and Ameerul Islam scored one goal each.
Earlier, Pakistan named an 18-member hockey squad for a three-match series in Dhaka against Bangladesh, a contest that will determine a spot in the World Cup qualifiers.
The series was initiated by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) after Pakistan could not travel to India for the Asia Cup in August-September due to strained political relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Under the FIH system, Pakistan was given the opportunity to play the three-match series against the team that finished sixth in the Asia Cup.
Bangladesh secured that sixth position, prompting Pakistan’s travel to Dhaka.
Head coach Olympian Tahir Zaman said the Bangladesh team is a “good competitive side” and that Pakistan will not take it easy. He added that the team is ready to meet the challenge to qualify for the World Cup qualifiers.