ISLAMABAD: Pakistan have surged into the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 after making a dramatic comeback in their last match against Canada, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown with Japan on Saturday.
The Green Shirts have had a notable history in the international men’s field hockey tournament held in Malaysia. Over the years, Pakistan have secured the championship three times, occurring in 1999, 2000, and 2003.
However, their performance remained on a decline in recent years, making it the first time Pakistan have advanced to the tournament final since 2011.
“Pakistan and Japan have qualified for final of the 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey tournament,” the state-owned Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday. “The final match of the tournament will be played on Saturday in Ipoh, Malaysia.”
In their last match against Canada on Wednesday, Pakistan faced a 2-0 deficit in the first 17 minutes, though the players showed resilience and prowess to help the squad make a comeback and clinch a narrow 5-4 victory.
Currently leading the table after four matches with three victories and a draw, Pakistan will face Japan in the final match. The two teams drew their previous game after putting in all their effort to defeat each other.
Malaysia and New Zealand trail behind, tied with six points each, occupying the third and fourth spots respectively in the tournament standings.
Pakistan advance to Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final for first time since 2011 after beating Canada
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Pakistan advance to Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final for first time since 2011 after beating Canada
- Pakistan made a dramatic comeback in the last match when they faced a 2-0 deficit in the first 17 minutes
- Green Shirts will face Japan again in the final on Saturday after drawing a match with them in the tournament
Pakistan police repel militant attack on Bannu checkpoint, five officers injured
- Police say several attackers killed or wounded in overnight assault in northwest Pakistan
- Incident comes amid surge in militant attacks Pakistan blames on Afghanistan-based groups
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani police said on Friday they repelled an overnight militant attack on a checkpoint in the northwestern district of Bannu, injuring five officers in an area that has seen a sharp rise in militant violence in recent years.
The attack took place late at night at the Sheikh Landak check post, located within the limits of Huweid police station in Bannu, a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border. Police said officers responded swiftly, preventing the attackers from overrunning the post.
Militant attacks in Pakistan have surged since 2021, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Balochistan, with security forces frequently targeted. Islamabad says the violence is largely driven by groups it refers to as Fitna Al-Khawarij, a term Pakistani authorities use for militants they say are linked primarily to the Pakistani Taliban and allied factions operating from across the border in Afghanistan. Pakistan has also accused India of backing militant networks involved in attacks, allegations New Delhi denies.
“Late at night, terrorists of Fitna Al-Khawarij carried out a cowardly attack on Sheikh Landak check post,” police said in a statement, adding that officers “displayed full courage, bravery and a timely response, successfully foiling the attack.”
Police said effective retaliatory fire caused “heavy human and material losses” to the attackers, with reports of several militants killed or wounded.
Five police personnel sustained minor injuries during the exchange and were immediately shifted to hospital for treatment, where they are receiving medical care, the statement said.
Following the attack, additional police units were deployed to the area and a search operation was launched to locate any remaining attackers.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government of failing to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegation, saying it does not allow its soil to be used against any country.
The accusations have added to tensions between the two neighbors, who have also seen periodic border clashes over the past year.
