Pakistan-India gear up for Asian Champions Trophy clash

While cricket's Pakistan-India rivalry is unparalleled, the intensity and excitement of their competition extends to other sports, like hockey, as well since both teams give their all on the field during this hugely-anticipated fixture.

In hockey, both Pakistan and India, former world giants, are set to renew their rivalry when they face each other in their last pool stage match of the Asian Champions Trophy at the Moqi Training Base Hulunbuir, China, on Saturday, September 14.

Both nations have already qualified for the semi-finals with India leading the table with 12 points which they have collected from four wins. Pakistan are at the second spot with eight points, courtesy two wins which they pulled off against Japan (2-1) and China (5-1).

India, who recently finished with a bronze in the Paris Olympics, are in ruthless form with the brigade showcasing tremendous skills to beat all the teams they have faced so far.

India downed China 3-0, demolished Japan 5-1, crushed Malaysia 8-1 and defeated Korea 3-1 to emerge as summit finishers.

Pakistan struggled initially when they were held by both Malaysia and South Korea with an identical 2-2 scoreline.

However, at this stage, Pakistan, under the shrewd coaching of former Olympian Tahir Zaman, recovered well and not only conquered Japan 2-1 but whipped China 5-1 to blast their way into the semi-finals.

Pakistan’s win against China ensured that they will avoid India in the semi-finals and tomorrow’s game will be a warm-up for both sides ahead of the knockout matches.

Pakistan’s progression in the event following early struggle is a big plus for Ammad Butt’s charges and it will be interesting to see how the national brigade tackles the in-form India who are also defending the title.

India have won the event four times with Pakistan having three crowns to their credit.

Everything you need to know about the upcoming Pakistan-India match.Nukta

Head-to-head

So far 180 matches have been conducted between the two nations with Pakistan winning 82 and India registering wins in 66 matches. As many as 32 matches ended in a draw.

Last time both nations met in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games Pool A preliminaries with India crushing Pakistan 10-2. This was the biggest victory from India over Pakistan in history.

The third and fourth semi-finalists are yet to be confirmed. Korea, Malaysia and China are in contention for the remaining two pre-finals spots.

Korea have five points with Malaysia having four followed by China with just three.

Besides Pakistan-India clash tomorrow, Korea will be pitted against Malaysia and Japan will face China in the last pool match of the tournament.

India vs Pakistan final?

Bearing in mind how India are playing and the way Pakistan have improved their game in the event shows that there are enough chances that both nations will qualify for the final.

India have won Olympics titles for a record eight times while Pakistan have lifted the coveted title on three occasions.

Pakistan have won World Cup four times (1971, 1978, 1982, 1994) while India have to their credit only one global crown which they had lifted in 1975.

India vs Pakistan rivalry in major tournaments.Nukta

India squad

Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Suraj Karkera, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Rajkumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Manpreet Singh, Mohammed Raheel Mouseen, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh and Gurjot Singh.

Pakistan squad

Ammad Butt (captain), Abdul Rehman, Ajaz Ahmad, Ghazanfar Ali, Muhammad Hammaduddin, Zikriya Hayat, Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, Sufyan Khan, Arshad Liaqat, Abu Mahmood, Nadeem Ahmad, Faisal Qadir, Rana Waheed Ashraf, Sulman Razzak, Rooman, Hannan Shahid, Moin Shakeel and Muneeb-ur-Rehman.