Afraz and Nadeem Ahmed starred for Pakistan, scoring twice each, while Ammad Butt, Ghazanfar Ali, Waheed Ashraf Rana, and Hannan Shahid also added goals. Hozifa Hossain and Amirul Islam scored for Bangladesh.
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Bangladesh started brightly, thwarting three early Pakistan moves within the opening minute. However, the visitors took the lead in the fourth minute when captain Ammad Butt converted a penalty stroke. The goal was followed by a setback for Bangladesh as goalkeeper Roman Sarkar sustained a head injury during the penalty and had to be stretchered off to hospital.
Hozifa briefly levelled the score with a reverse hit before the end of the first quarter, making it 1-1. Pakistan quickly regained control as Nadeem Ahmed scored in the 19th minute following a scramble in front of the goal. Afraz extended the lead with a penalty corner in the 24th minute and added another six minutes later through an impressive field effort.
Pakistan maintained dominance throughout the match, scoring four more goals with fluid passing and precise finishing. Bangladesh struggled to convert their chances from penalty corners, managing only one late goal from Amirul in the 58th minute.
Bangladesh captain Rezaul Karim Babu acknowledged lapses in concentration and pledged to improve in the next matches.
The series continues on Friday with the second encounter, while the third and final match is scheduled for Sunday at the same venue. The aggregate winner will advance to the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup qualifying round.
