• Sufiyan Khan scored a hat-trick, giving Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the first quarter.
• Malaysia fought back in the second quarter, but Sufiyan’s strike in the 35th minute and Abdul Qayyum’s goal in the final quarter extended Pakistan’s lead to 3-1.
• The victory marks Pakistan’s fourth consecutive win in the tournament, following victories over China, Bangladesh, and Oman.

MUSCAT: Pakistan secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Malaysia on Sunday, with Sufiyan Khan scoring a hat-trick, to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2024 Men’s Junior Hockey Asia Cup. The win also guaranteed Pakistan a place in the Junior Hockey World Cup, set to take place in India next year.

In a match between the two unbeaten teams of Group B, Pakistan outclassed Malaysia from the start. Sufiyan opened the scoring just three minutes into the game, giving Pakistan a 1-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Malaysia fought back in the second quarter with Adam Ashraf Johari scoring the equalizer in the 23rd minute. However, Sufiyan restored Pakistan’s lead with a stunning strike in the 35th minute. Abdul Qayyum further extended the lead to 3-1 in the final quarter.

Though it seemed the scoreline would hold, Sufiyan completed his hat-trick with a goal just before the final whistle, rounding off a comprehensive victory for Pakistan.

This marked Pakistan’s fourth consecutive win in the tournament, following victories over China, Bangladesh, and Oman. The national team finished the group stage with 12 points from four matches, sealing their place in the semi-finals.

Pakistan’s squad for Junior Asia Cup

Goalkeepers: Ali Raza, Faizan Janjua

Players: Sufiyan Khan, Aqeel Ahmed, Bilal Aslam, Nadeem Khan, Mohammad Zain, Wasim, Sami, Zakariya Hayat, Mohammad Imad, Hanan Shahid (Captain), Mughira, Rana Waleed, Hamza Fayaz, Basharat, Qayyum Dogar, and Saifullah.

[embedpost slug=”/pakistan-to-bat-first-in-opening-t20i-against-zimbabwe/”]