Asian Hockey Champions Trophy: India and Pakistan blame each other for backing out of the finals

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The Indian and Pakistan hockey team were declared as the joint winners of the 2018 Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in Muscat after the match officials consulted both the teams following heavy downpours. However, Pakistan coach Hasan Sardar and anonymous Hockey India official got locked up in a war of words over how the decision was reached.

India and Pakistan were declared the joint winners of the biennial extravaganza after heavy showers rendered the pitch unplayable
India and Pakistan were declared the joint winners of the biennial extravaganza after heavy showers rendered the pitch unplayable

“Our boys were pumped up for the final match. Even after the heavy rains, we told the organizers we will play if they wanted the final to go ahead. But the Indians refused because of the conditions,” Pakistan coach Hasan Sardar said.

However, a Hockey India official on the grounds of anonymity rubbished the claims.

“It’s a blatant lie. It was Pakistan who didn’t want to play as they had a return flight at 3 am in the morning. Our flight was the next day so we had no problem in waiting,” the official told PTI.