BHOPAL, 13 April 2005 — Pakistan veterans hockey team rallied to beat India 3-2 in the second test to take 2-0 lead in the 4-match Goodwill series between the two nations here at the Tatya Tope Stadium yesterday. At half-time Pakistan were trailing 1-2. Shahbaz Junior scored a brace for Pakistan while Tasneem Usmani chipped in one goal. For India Amardeep and Dhanraj Pillay contributed one goal each.
Pakistan had defeated India 2-1 in the first test played at Jallundhur on April 9 to go one-up in the series. Now the third test will be played at New Delhi on April 14 while fourth and last of the series to be played in Amritsar on April 16.
In fact it was Pakistan day today as hockey veterans vanquished Indians in Bhopal, while their comrade-in-arms cricketer brethren in Ahmedabad elbowed out India in the fourth One-Dayer in a nail-biting finish to come at par 2-2 in the six-match contest.
The match between the veterans of the two nations, comprising of former Olympians and Internationals, did not rise to dizzy heights. It appeared to be played in slow motion as agility in their paces, body swerves and stamina to sustain themselves in right frame was missing due to aging factor.
However, their spirit was never sagging and gave occasional glimpse of their craft and style when they had ruled the roost in the past in their heydays.
