Abbas, Nicol score hat-tricks

Pakistan's penalty-corner ace Sohail Abbas sparkled as the opening round of the men's hockey competition at the Commonwealth Games produced a goal feast on Saturday.

Abbas found the mark thrice in four attempts as Pakistan trounced England 3-0 in a key Pool B match at the Belle Vue stadium.

South Africa's Greg Nicol also netted a hat-trick in his team's 10-1 whipping of first-timers Barbados, while defending champions Australia opened their campaign with a 6-1 rout of New Zealand.

The fourth match between Canada and Wales was an exception, as the two unfancied Pool B teams played out a 1-1 draw.

Pakistan's emphatic win is almost certain to make them pool champions, leaving England to fight for a semi-final slot, where their likely opponents will be Australia.

Abbas, one of the most dreaded penalty-corner marksmen in the game, was the joint top-scorer with Jorge Lombi of Argentina at the World Cup in Malaysia in March with 10 goals. His terrific strike rate allowed Pakistan to continue with the strategy they have mastered over the years -- force penalty-corners inside the rival circle and leave the rest to Abbas.