A late goal from Pakistan denied New Zealand a second victory from as many matches in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament in Malaysia tonight.
The goal, a minute from the end, forced a 3-3 draw just when New Zealand looked set to top their group after their 3-2 winover Argentina on Sunday.
Hayden Shaw, Shea McAleese and Ben Collier scored New Zealand's goals. However, each time the New Zealanders led, Pakistan would come back and tie the scores.
"We're very disappointed with the result. We should have won this match. The performance was good but the result was disappointing for us," New Zealand team manager Peter Miskimmin told NZPA.
Pakistan are ranked No 5 in the world and New Zealand No 9.
Hayden Shaw opened the scoring in the sixth minute with his famous drag-flick from a penalty corner.
The Pakistanis levelled from a penalty corner in the 15th minute for a 1-1 draw at halftime.
Canterbury's McAleese gave New Zealand a 2-1 lead five minute after halftime, also from a corner.
Pakistan converted their second penalty corner 10 minutes later and with 10 minutes to go Collier scored a fine field goal that looked set to lift New Zealand to their second victory over a team ranked above them.
But the Pakistanis, who enjoyed fewer opportunities than New Zealand, forced a penalty corner and found the leveller with less than a minute to go.
In another match, the Netherlands beat Argentina 4-1.
New Zealand play the Netherlands on Thursday.
Results
Netherlands 4 Argentina 1. Halftime: 0-1
New Zealand 3 (Hayden Shaw, Shea McAleese, Ben Collier) Pakistan 3 (Imran 10, Saqlain 44, Warsi 69). Halftime: 1-1.
