Rahan's four seal win for Pakistan in Azlan Shah Cup

LAHORE - Pakistan hockey team banking on the guiles of forward Rehan Butt produced a comprehensive 6-3 win over New Zealand in their second match of the Azlan Shah Cup on day two at Ipoh, Malaysia on Friday.
According to reports received here, Rehan made a great impact in the 17th edition of the Azlan Shah Cup with four goals while Muhammad Saqlain and Shakeel Abbas shared one each that trashed New Zealand.
Kiwi striker Phillip Burrows was the first to open the scoring in the sixth minute.
Pakistan were relentless and had firm grip over New Zealand though they were down 0-1 by the sixth minute.
New Zealand skipper Phillip Burrows' reverse stick attempt was like a training show, but Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar failed to stop the floating attempt. That raised Pakistan tempo  a great deal, and they nailed in the equaliser.
After a cross from Muhammad Saqlain, Rehan was the first to open up from Pakistan side in the 11th minute that also brought teams on lever terms.
Shakeel Abbasi made it two for Pakistan in the 14th minute and Muhammad Saqlain extended the lead to three-one in the 28th minute, pushing the fast moving Kiwis to defensive. In all the goals that were scored thus far, Rehan, Shakeel and Saqlain were instrumental with their coordinated efforts.
Two minutes later, Rehan came with another stunner but Hayden Shaw brought two back-to-back goals in the 33rd and 47th minutes though he steadied things a bit for Kiwis. But Rehan had different plans, as he scored his hat-trick off a goalmouth melee that took Pakistan further ahead.
Still in the lead of 4-3, Pakistan's forward did not stop for that and went for more in which Rehan along with other strikers kept pushing inside New Zealand danger zone. And at last Rehan was successful in locating an opening twice in 10 minutes. He first pushed the ball in the 60th minute and then nine minutes later in the 69th tick went for the last bang.