India and Pakistan share Hero Asian Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy as match gets abandoned due to rain

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The finals of the Hero Asian Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy between India and Pakistan was called off even before it started due to the terrible weather conditions at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat.

India-Pakistan encounter got washed away by rain
India-Pakistan hockey encounter got washed away by rain

The rain gods showed mercy in the earlier third-place playoff match between Malaysia and Japan where the Speedy Tigers triumphed after winning the game 3-2 in the shootouts. The game had earlier finished 2-2 in regulation time.

However, they downpoured heavily as India and Pakistan prepared to square off. The teams hadn’t even come out for the national anthems and not a single minute of hockey was played.

After 90 minutes of wait and inspection, the match officials deemed the surface unplayable as the rainwater accumulated on the turf. With this joint achievement, India has now won the coveted trophy three times previously winning it at 2011 in Ordos and 2016 in Kuantan. Pakistan, too, became three-time winners as they lifted the trophy at the 2012 edition in Doha and the 2013 edition in Kakamigahara.

The next major tournament for both the sides will be the Men’s Hockey World Cup which will commence from 28 November in Bhubaneswar. India is grouped alongside Belgium, Canada, and South Africa in Pool C whereas Pakistan will be battling out against the Netherlands, Germany, and Malaysia in Pool D.

The Sportsindiashow team wishes the Indian hockey team all the best for the World Cup.