LAHORE: Pakistan juniors stunned their senior compatriots by coming from 2-0 down to force a draw in the last of the four matches organised by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) prior to the selection of national junior and senior squads for their respective international assignments.

The matches were held at the outer ground of the National Hockey Stadium from Nov 6. While the juniors are scheduled to represent Pakistan in the World Cup being held in the Indian city of Bhubaneswar from Nov 25 to Dec 5, the seniors will be featuring in the Asian Champions Trophy to be staged in Dhaka in December.

The seniors broke the ice in the third quarter when Afraz banged home in the 36th minute and doubled their lead when Junaid Manzoor fired a field goal in the 42nd.

Three minutes later, the juniors earned the first success through Mohsin Hasan who struck a field goal. On the offensive, the juniors equalised through Roman crowning another field attempt.

The seniors clinched the four-game series 2-0.

The national selection committee headed by Manzoor Junior with its members including Kaleemulah, Nasir Ali, Khalid Hameed, Ayaz Mahmood and Wasim Feroz witnessed the match.

The committee will announce an 18-member Pakistan squad for the Junior World Cup from among 21 probables in a couple of days time.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2021