Pakistan's Quest for the Rugby Championship - A Dream or a Reality?

Rugby a sport based on running with a ball in hand, is a contact team sport originated from England in the first half of the 19th century. Introduced in Pakistan in 1925 and the Pakistan Rugby union created in 2000 as the representative of the sport in Pakistan.

Every year many teams of Asia take place in the Asian Rugby Championship, this year's championship is being hosted by Pakistan in the Rugby Academy Lahore Cantt.

Pakistan rugby team won the Asian Rugby division-III against Uzbekistan after leveling the series to 1-1.

Earlier, Pakistan won the first test against Uzbekistan with a margin of 43-13. While in the 2nd test Uzbekistan defeated Pakistan with a margin of 38-24. But Pakistan won the championship on the merits of better points in both matches played. Pakistan is now looking forward to qualifying for the Division-II of the Asian Rugby Championship.

Uzbekistan put Pakistan under immense pressure right from the go and were of to a flying start, as they scored their first try in the very first minute taking a 5-0 lead. The team scored their second try and also converted it turning their lead to 12-0. In the 21st minute, they scored again and stretched the lead to 17-0.

Pakistan team then changed their strategy by being more aggressive, which helped them to finally score in the 25th minute when they scored a try and then converted by the team's captain to reduce the margin to 17-7.

                            

The hosts tried to score through their aggressive strategy but could not succeed as the guests successfully scored in the 36th 39th and 40th minute increasing their lead to 31-7.

Pakistan made an excellent comeback by scoring in the 16th minute of the second half, but the guests also scored turning the score to 38-14.

Pakistan not losing hope scored 2 tries in the 36th and 41st minute changing the margin to 38-24 in favor of Uzbekistan. but Pakistan won the championship on the basis of scoring better points in both matches.

Now, the Pakistan Rugby team have their eyes set on winning the Division-II of the Championship.