KARACHI, 26 February 2006 — India finally ended their winless streak against Pakistan on Friday when they struck two second half goals to record a 2-1 victory in the fifth Test of the six-match hockey series in Faisalabad.

Having lost three games and drawn once in their four previous clashes against Pakistan, India managed to turn the tables on the hosts as they bounced back from a 0-1 half-time deficit with goals coming from Rajpal Singh and Kanwalpreet Singh in the final quarter.

It was India’s first win in the series after they were whitewashed 3-0 by Pakistan in the first leg of the series held in India last week. The fourth Test held at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday ended in a 1-1 draw.

Looking relaxed after securing an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the series, Pakistan paid the price for a series of missed opportunities.

India, too, looked dismal in the scoring zone but were finally able to find the target when it mattered most.

Almost 25,000 hockey fans turned up for the match at the newly constructed Faisalabad Stadium, hosting its first international game.

The cheering fans were on their feet when Pakistan’s young short corner specialist Imran Warsi put them ahead in the 28th minute with a lightning drag flick.

India responded with a series of inroads but were unable to get past the Pakistani defense. The tourists wasted a couple of short corners and their quartet of forwards — Tajber Singh, Didar Singh and Shivender Singh — also squandered several scoring chances in the first session.

The visitors came out with a more purposeful display after the breather and forced four short corners within a span of five minutes but were unable to get past Pakistan’s substitute goalie Nasir Ahmed.

It took the Indians 20 minutes to finally earn the equalizer through a superb strike from Rajpal Singh in the 55th minute. Rajpal was involved in a brilliant move with talented young midfielder V.S. Vinay and struck off a difficult angle to make it 1-1.

The goal spurred India as for the first time in the series they had an upper hand against Pakistan. The pride-restoring win should add to India’s confidence, who meet Pakistan in the final Test in Rawalpindi today.

The two Asian giants would also clash on the opening day of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne next month.