Melbourne: India squandered away an early lead and wilted under the Pakistani firepower to suffer a 1-4 defeat against the arch-rivals in men's hockey event of the XVIII Commonwealth Games on Saturday.
In hunt of an elusive Commonwealth medal, India started off well in their second outing at the State Hockey Centre by launching several attacks on the Pakistani post.
But India, who drew with Malaysia 1-1 on Friday, could not keep up the momentum and allowed Pakistan to walk away with full three points from this crucial tie.
Pakistani midfielder Adnan Maqsood (41st, 57th) scored a brace after experienced campaigners Muddasar Ali Khan (23rd) and Tariq Aziz (38th) had scored the first two goals.
Tejbir Singh (14th) netted the lone goal for India.
Although Indians were guilty of lapses in stopping and passing, they displayed flashes of good hockey.
A couple of misses by striker Deepak Thakur early on were compensated by Tejbir's goal. Arjun Halappa provided an accurate and fast cross from the left and Thakur dived to push it forward.
Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar saved it on first attempt but an alert Tejbir jumped forward to put the rebound in.
Pakistan, however, surged ahead just nine minutes later.
Rehan Butt's electric hit from right corner kissed the stick of Sandeep Singh and flew off to Muddasar who shot home in style to score the equaliser.
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The Pakistanis came back armed with more firepower after the change of ends, initiating incessant attacks on the Indian citadel.
Within three minutes of resumption, Tariq Aziz slammed the second goal for them.
This time too, the doughty Butt provided an on-the-run cross from right and Aziz beat Indian goalie Bharat Chetri.
Just after three minutes Adnan Maqsood's spectacular goal stunned the Indians.
A skillful Shakeel Abassi moved on despite the simultaneous tackling by three Indian defenders and fed Maqsood to complete the formalities.
Pakistan lost a golden chance to extend the lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke owing to bad tackling by Prabodh Tirkey.
However, skipper Mohammed Saqlain shot it wide off the post.
But it was Maqsood who sealed India's fate when he deflected a Mohammad Imran drag-flick off a penalty corner to make it 4-1 for Pakistan.
The weakness of the Indians to finish off good moves was once again exposed in the match. Thakur and Sardar Singh were particularly guilty of spoiling sure shot scoring chances.
However, Chteri was brilliant with his anticipation and quick movements, saving at least three goals on his own.
India would meet unfancied Trinidad and Tobago in their next match.
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