rivals India and Pakistan launched their Commonwealth Games campaign here Tuesday with thrilling victories in their Pool A matches. The Indians pulled off a narrow 3-2 win over Malaysia while Pakistan defeated Scotland 3-0 at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, which finally saw the crowds grow in number for the evening matches. The home team rallied twice to level the scores before Bharat Chikara scored the winner just four minutes from the final whistle, much to the cheer of a sizeable crowd of about 7,000. Malaysia dealt an early blow to the host when striker Hafifihafiz Hanafi caught its defense napping and scored off a superb reverse flick in the 15th minute. Stunned by the setback, India regrouped quickly and found the equalizer when full-back Dhananjay Mahadik converted a penalty corner 12 minutes later with a drag-flick. Malaysia hit back to make it 2-1 through Azlan Misron before India's penalty corner specialist Sandeep Singh hammered one in just at the half-time whistle. India, which had lost to Malaysia 5-2 in its last encounter in Sultan Azlan Shah tournament in May this year, has yet to win a Commonwealth Games medal. Chikara said his team was lucky to start their campaign with a win. For Pakistan, Shakeel Abbasi opened the scoring in the 20th minute before ace forward Rehann Butt slammed a goal from the top of the circle 10 minutes from half-time. Muhammad Imran made it 3-0 when he converted the first of the four penalty corners that Pakistan earned in the match in the 43rd minute. The defeated finalist of the 2006 Melbourne Games, Pakistan next faces Malaysia before taking on hot favorites Australia and India. Butt said his side was relieved to have crossed the first hurdle with ease. In Pool B, South Africa rode on a brace by Justin Ross-Reid to defeat Canada 4-1. Gareth Carr (14) and Ian Haley (69) chipped in with a goal each for the South Africans. Sukhwinder Singh struck a field goal for Canada, playing under new coach Robin D'Abreo. New Zealand spanked Trinidad and Tobago 7-1 with Andrew Hayward and Blair Hilton slamming in two goals each. Hugo Inglis, Hayden Shaw and Nick Haig were the other scorers for the Black Sticks while Wayne Legerton netted the lone goal for Trinidad and Tobago. Emily Hurtz scored a hat trick and guided defending champion Australia to a comprehensive 11-0 win over inexperienced Trinidad and Tobago in the women field hockey tournament. Crista Cullen matched Hurtz's feat as she helped England beat Wales 4-1. South Africa's women beat Scotland 2
