India and Pakistan, two nations with a deeply intertwined history, have long shared a fierce rivalry on the hockey field. Since the partition of the subcontinent, these teams have faced off in three Olympic finals and one World Cup final, creating iconic moments that are etched in hockey folklore. This Saturday, in Moqi, China, these rivals will once again clash in the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT), adding another chapter to their storied rivalry.
Both teams have maintained undefeated records in the tournament so far, although their recent performances suggest a different story. Defending champions India have been dominant, winning all four of their matches, while Pakistan, despite remaining unbeaten, have two wins and two draws, placing them second on the points table. Both teams have already secured their places in the semifinals, with the remaining spots to be contested between South Korea, Malaysia, and hosts China.
The balance of power has shifted dramatically in recent years. While matches between India and Pakistan were once razor-thin affairs, India has asserted its dominance since the 2014 Asian Games final. In fact, Pakistan’s last victory against India came in 2016. Since then, India has triumphed 14 times out of the last 16 matches, with the remaining two ending in draws. This trend continued at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, where India secured a resounding 10-2 victory.
Though Pakistan still holds the overall head-to-head record, the current state of the sport in the two countries paints a stark contrast. While India has returned to the Olympic podium with consecutive bronze medals in Tokyo and Paris, hockey in Pakistan has unfortunately fallen into decline.
India’s dominance in the ACT is undeniable, with four tournament titles to their name, including last year’s victory against Malaysia in Chennai. Pakistan, with three titles, ranks as the second most successful team in the history of the tournament. The upcoming clash is set to be a high-stakes affair, with both teams eager to establish their supremacy and continue their legacies in the sport. The stage is set for another epic battle in the world of hockey.
