Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh struck twice as India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 4-2 in a thrilling match and avoided the wooden spoon in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament here on Sunday.
Rupinder scored through a penalty corner in the ninth minute and from a penalty
stroke in the 62nd minute. India's other field goals came from Akashdeep Singh in the 35th minute and Malak Singh in the 44th minute of the fifth-sixth place classification match.
For Pakistan, who ended the tournament at the last spot, skipper Muhammad Imran scored in the seventh minute through a penalty corner while Kashif Shah Syed found the target in the 46th minute.
Earlier in the tournament, India had beaten Pakistan in the league stage 3-1.
Australia win
Australia extended their domination as they bagged their seventh title after a 3-2 win over hosts Malaysia in the summit clash.
In an action-packed final match, Australia's Trent Milton fired in the winning goal from a pass by Robert Hammond just ahead of the final hooter to stun the 15000-odd Malaysian supporters.