Twice in arrears, Pakistan fought back to force a 4-4 draw with New Zealand in a pool 'A' game of the 11th FIH men's hockey World Cup at Monchengladbach.
In a hotly contested match, Pakistan looked in danger of losing when New Zealand led 4-3 with five minutes left, but Muhammad Zubair found the net from a melee for his second goal of the game to tie the scores and then Sohail Abbas wasted a penalty corner seconds before close.
For the Kiwis, who have never finished higher than seventh in six appearances in the World Cup, Dean Couzins (15th, 36th, penalty strokes), Blair Hopping (18th) and Hayden Shaw (54th) scored while Pakistan reply came from Shakeel Abbasi (9th, penalty stroke), Rehan Butt (43rd), Muhammad Zubair (21st, 65th).
Both teams, who both won their previous matches, thus picked up a point apiece.
The match witnessed dramatic twists and turns with three penalty strokes, two of them to the Kiwis being awarded.
Pakistan strongly disputed the second stroke that umpire David Leiper signaled after a rising shot to goal struck a defender. The Pakistanis claimed for dangerous play, but the umpire stuck to his decision.
Of the eight goals, the best was by Butt who capped a brilliant solo run with a spanking reverse hit to the boards from a difficult angle.