Oct 22 (PTI): India produced a much improved show after their opening match loss to play out a 1-1 draw against arch-rivals Pakistan in a league match of the International Super Series Hockey 9s on Friday.

Having lost their opening match of the tournament to New Zealand 6-3, India were the more dominant side for most part of the match but were unable to put finishing touches to their chances. Substitute goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who replaced captain Bharat Chhetri in the second half, saved a penalty shootout by Waseem Ahmed a couple of minutes before the final hooter to keep his record in the new format — that replaces the regular penalty stroke — intact.

Pakistan scored first in the 12th minute through veteran Waseem as he gently pushed the ball home from close range. But the lead lasted less than a minute as Ravi Pal levelled the with a diving reverse shot from the top of the striking circle, after Manjit Kullu and VR Raghunath served the ball upfront.

Pakistan came out strongly in spells but barring captain Shakeel Abbasi, others were rusty in their attack. Pakistan forced a couple of threatening moves in the dying moments but Gurbaj Singh, Kullu and Sardara Singh kept them at bay.

The Indian women too got their act together in time to draw by a similar margin against Australia. Star forward Ashleigh Nelson put Australia ahead in the 10th minute before Soundarya Yandala cancelled it out five minutes before time. Vandana Kataria tore through the Australian defence to enter the top of the circle and quickly push the ball to Yandala, who was waiting at the far corner of the goal cage.