Pakistan polo team has made a lasting impression on the participants of the World Cup Zone D Playoffs 2011 being played in Malaysia by staging a 15 and a half goals to the seven, rout of Nigeria in their opening match.
Pakistan, playing with a total handicap of 12 against Nigeria’s 14 received a 1 ½ goal advantage for the five chukka match. After receiving heavy loss to South Africa 13-5, Nigeria failed to sustain the onslaught unleashed by Pakistan quartet of Ahmed Ali Tiwana, Raja Temur Nadeem, Saqib Khan Khakwani and Raja Samiullah.
It was Raja who led the Nigerian rout with 10 goals, three each in the second, third and fifth chukkers and one in the fourth while Nadeem replied with two and Saqib and Ahmed shared one goal each. Sami, who has played for Pakistan in every World Cup since 2000, was star of the show, controlling play from his position at back, and marauding forward when he saw the opportunities.