Pakistan bounce back to clinch semi-final slot

Dubai: Pakistan team pulled up their socks after two defeats to arch rivals India to defeat Kenya and win a place in the semi-finals of the Kabaddi Masters Dubai at the Al Wasl Sports Club on Wednesday night.

In the last match of their group stage, Pakistan were a transformed team from the start and whipped Kenya 42-20.

They will now take on the mighty Iran team, who haven’t lost any match in the tournament, in the semi-final.

Unbeaten India will take on Korea in the other semi-final on Friday.

On Wednesday, Korea geared up for the semi-final clash with a comfortable 54-25 win over Argentina.

Pakistan bounced back through Mohammad Nadeem and Akhlaq Hussain in the match against Kenya. Nadeem scored 13 points while Hussain attained a high five to ensure the morale boosting victory.

Kenya fought back in the second half but the lead was too big to surmount. They ended their campaign without a win.

Pakistan started off brilliantly to go up 4-0 after three minutes. Mudassar Ali got another raid point in the fifth minute to make it 5-0. Kenya opened their account through a bonus point in the sixth minute but Pakistan inflicted an all out in the ninth minute as to surge to 12-2.

Pakistan then dominated the first half, displaying their strong defence. Nadeem’s raid made it tougher for Kenya as he picked eight raid points in the first half. Pakistan led 22-7 at the end of the first half.

In the second half, Pakistan took a firm grip to build up a 26-7 lead. James Kamweti scored a raid point for Kenya in the 24th minute but still trailed 9-26. After Akhlaq Hussain attained a high five, Pakistan tightened their defence. When Nadeem got a super 10 in the 29th minute Pakistan raced to a 31-11 lead.

Kenya forced a super tackle in the 33rd minute to trail 15-32 but within two minutes Pakistan too forced a super tackle to lead 36-18. When Pakistan inflicted another all out in the 39th minute, it was all over for Kenya.