India fought back from a two-goal deficit to hold Iraq 2-2 in the AFC Under-16 championship qualifiers in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

India scored twice in the final 10 minutes through Bikramjit Singh and Tanmay Ghosh as they secured a crucial point in their quest for qualification.

Waleed Al Lami gave Iraq the lead in the 29th minute at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahad Stadium yesterday and Ahmed Kueam doubled the margin in the 50th.

It seemed all over for India, coached by Colin Joseph Toal, before Bikramjit pulled one back in the 80th minute. Tanmay Ghosh got the equaliser in the 87th.

India next play Lebanon on Thursday and will later take on Saudi Arabia (November 4) and Bhutan (November 7).

They had beaten Sri Lanka 6-0 in their opening Group C match of the campaign. Two out of the six teams will qualify for the main tournament to be held next year.

As things stand at the moment, India are joint second in the group with Iraq on four points, two behind hosts Saudi Arabia.