The eight-time Uzbek title winners went into the match on the back of an impressive win last week against Shortan but failed to find any chinks in well prepared Mashal’s stubborn defence, forcing Ravshan Haydarov’s side to settle for their second draw in six outings.

Second-placed Pakhtakor now have 14 points but are trailing Kuruvchi by four points at the top of the table.

The Uzbek giants play Arbil away on 23 April in an AFC Champions League Group D encounter, hoping to continue their dominance of the Iraqis after their 2-0 win when the two last met on 9 April.