Pakistan, eyeing a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics, began their Hockey World League Semi-finals campaign with a 2-1 victory over Poland in Antwerp, Belgium.
Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Waqas were the heroes as the Green Shirts defeated a plucky Poland side.
Pakistan, who need to finish in the top three of the table to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics, started the game at a typically hectic pace and created several chances in the opening minutes of the first quarter, the Express Tribune reported.
Led by Mohammad Imran, Pakistan took the lead in the 4th minute as Irfan fired in a low shot off a penalty corner.
However, Poland held on and kept on their nerves and Pawel Bratkowski successfully converted a penalty corner in the 51st minute to score the equaliser.
With nine minutes remaining Muhammad Waqas struck the winning goal, scoring off a penalty corner and leading his side to victory.
Pakistan will now take on Australia in their next fixture on June 24 before taking on arch-rivals India on June 26.
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