Pakistan Eagles face SGPC Tigers India in kabaddi finale today

Pakistan Eagles set up a final clash with SGPC Tigers India after the hosts defeated both the Indian side as well as Iran's Lions of Tabriz in almost one-sided encounters of the Baba Guru Nanak International Kabaddi Cup at the jam-packed WAPDA Sports Complex ground in Lahore on Wednesday night.

Led by Kaleemullah Jutt Pakistan defeated India's side 38-26 with an enviable ease. Pakistan were too strong as they had the assistance of majority of key national players.

Indian Tigers were never in the run for victory. Although their skipper Germanjitsingh Ladda Balpur was fantastic as he scored a few points. He was the sort of player who Pakistani defenders could not control at any time. He used to raid and emerged victorious, demonstrating an immense power as a raider. Pakistan started the game in aggressive fashion and took a few points early lead and they kept going well in the same fashion. At half time the hosts were leading 26-16.

In the second half, too, Pakistani raiders and defenders showed great resilience and finished the game with a convincing victory in the end.

"India also is a good team and it was good match. Our strategy was to put them under pressure," Pakistan captain Kaleemullah Jutt said.

Pakistan had to play against Iran's Lions of Tabriz soon afterwards and it was not easy to play back-to-back matches.

Kabaddi players in action during the Baba Guru Nanak International Kabaddi Cup in Lahore.Nukta

Iran started brightly by taking three early points and put Pakistan Eagles under pressure. However, the hosts, also featuring Umar Gujar, Nafees Gujar and Zulqarnain Dogar, managed a solid fightback and surpassed the visitors by taking a handful of quick points.

Iran's players were awesome in physique and some of them were really unstoppable when they used to raid or defend rather.

At half-time Pakistan were leading 19-13. In the second half a grueling contest was seen with Pakistan showing good technique which paid dividends as they romped to their second successive victory to set up final clash with SGPC Tigers India.

Fans show great support

The event has received great support from kabaddi fans.

The die-hard fans had come from far-flung areas of Lahore and other cities by braving the heat of the day. Some fans from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Lakki Marwat and Bannu, most popular areas of kabaddi, were also seen backing Pakistan.

In the final today Pakistan Eagles will face SGPC Tigers India at the same venue at 5:30pm.

The organizers have kept entry free for the shows. It is expected that today a huge crowd will be pulled as the event has been publicized widely through media.

Thick security arrangements were seen for the two back to back matches.

The three-day event started on Wednesday with SGPC Tigers India conquering Iran's Lions of Tabriz 38-34 to take a fine start.

The event is being held on the occasion of Baisakhi festival in Nankana Sahib. As many as 6700 Sikhs from India have been issued visas for the purpose.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is the main governing body for managing Sikh gurdwaras in India, particularly in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. It also administers Darbar Sahib in Amritsar. The SGPC was established in 1920 and is overseen by the president of the SGPC. It promotes Sikhism.

Sardar Tajinder Singh, chairman of International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) circle wing and Iran Kabaddi Federation vice-president Majid Bahrami are also accompanying their teams during the event.

Bringing an Indian side was not easy and it was also admitted by Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) secretary Rana Mohammad Sarwar.

"Yes it's the case everybody knows this," Sarwar said.

India recently refused to send its national kabaddi team, blind cricket team and cross country team to Pakistan for the bilateral series (kabaddi), Blind Cricket World Cup and for the South Asian Cross Country Athletics Championship which was hosted by Islamabad in February this year.