Pakistan Police and Guangdong players are in action in their hockey friendly at Lahore on Thursday. Photo: PHF
Pakistan Police held off a spirited Guangdong fightback to claim a 7-6 victory in a high-scoring hockey test match in Lahore on Thursday.
The match, played at the DHA Hockey Arena was part of the Chinese side’s tour of Pakistan aimed at strengthening sporting ties between the two countries and providing local players with international match experience.
The closely contested encounter produced 13 goals, with Pakistan Police eventually emerging victorious by a single goal.
The match attracted a huge crowd who witnessed an entertaining contest between the two sides.
Inspector General of Punjab Police Abdul Kareem, who is also president of the Pakistan Police Sports Board, also witnessed the match as chief guest.
He was accompanied by Chief Sports Officer DIG Athar Ismail, AIG Administration Qazi Farooq, and former Olympians Manzoor Hussain, Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, Tahir Zaman and Khawaja Junaid.
PHF Director of Administration Colonel (retd) Nasir Akhunzada was also present.
Guangdong opened their tour with a 5-2 defeat against Mari Energies in Rawalpindi before securing a shootout victory over Pakistan Army after the match finished level at 1-1.
Pakistan Navy then defeated the visitors 3-1 in Islamabad, while Pakistan Customs claimed a narrow 3-2 win in Lahore. Pakistan Rangers followed with a 3-1 victory in Narowal. A record crowd had witnessed that game.
Pakistan’s junior team also recorded a 5-2 win over Guangdong in Gojra on Wednesday, taking a 3-2 lead at half-time before adding two more goals.
The series has offered Pakistani players valuable opportunities to compete against foreign opposition as the PHF looks to strengthen domestic hockey and develop emerging talent.
Pakistan were once among the leading forces in international hockey, winning three Olympic gold medals and four World Cup titles, but have struggled to maintain their former standing in recent years.
The federation has been seeking more competitive fixtures and improved pathways for young players as part of efforts to revive the national game.
Such tours also will help Pakistan’s domestic sides to get rich experience while playing against some food foreign teams.