A Arul Selvaraj’s team, ranked 10th in the world, drew first blood when defender Aminuddin Zain found the net off a penalty corner set-piece in the fifth minute at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium here.

However, their joy was shortlived as Pakistan levelled the scores just three minutes later through a penalty corner goal by Ahmad Arbaz.

After a goalless second quarter, Pakistan edged ahead 2-1 through another penalty corner goal, this time by Abdul Rehman in the 37th minute.

The final quarter saw Pakistan take a 4-1 lead through a field goal by Abdul Rana in the 51st minute and a penalty corner goal by Ammad Muhammad two minutes later.

Although the Speedy Tigers managed to narrow the deficit to 4-2 in the dying minutes of the game through a penalty corner goal by Razie Rahim, Pakistan sealed the win with a field goal by Afraz soon after.

Malaysia will now try to clinch a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics via the qualifiers in Muscat, Oman, from Jan 15 to 21 next year.