MCT: Abbas's dual strike helps Pakistan down Kiwis 
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| Pakistan |
December 5, 2004 
Hindustan Times
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Versatile penalty corner striker Sohail Abbas pumped in two goals in three minutes to guide Pakistan to a 3-1 win over New Zealand in the men's Champions Trophy in Lahore on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Abbas, who beat Dutchman Paul Litjens' all-time goal tally of 267 two months ago, helped Pakistan stage a comeback after the home team was trailing by a goal until the 49th minute.
Abbas now has 271 goals from 220 matches.
Shakil Abbasi had earlier equalised Wayne McIndoe's goal for New Zealand after a barren first half.
Pakistan, who beat Germany 3-1 in their first match on Saturday, were sluggish and missed three good chances including a penalty corner in the first half.
New Zealand, who lost to Pakistan in the classification match for fifth-sixth place at the Athens Olympics in August, went ahead in the 39th minute when McIndoe sent the ball rolling into the goal off the Kiwis' second penalty corner.
Cheered by a vociferous 20,000-strong holiday crowd, Pakistan notched three goals in the space of seven minutes to rout the threatening New Zealand.
Mercurial forward Rehan Butt dodged three defenders from the right and curled the ball for Abbasi to score Pakistan's equaliser in the 49th minute.
Pakistan then forced two penalty corners in three minutes and Abbas netted both to give his team a 3-1 lead.
The hosts, seeking their first Champions Trophy title in 10 years, face their biggest test on Tuesday when they take on defending champions the Netherlands.
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