London, June 23, 2026: India national hockey team defeated Pakistan national hockey team 4–3 in a closely fought encounter of the FIH Pro League at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Tuesday.
The match produced a high-intensity contest, with Pakistan taking an early lead in the 8th minute when Ahmad Nadeem converted a penalty corner to put the Green Shirts ahead 1–0.
India responded strongly after the early setback, creating sustained pressure and earning multiple penalty corners, though Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Raza stood firm to deny several attempts and ensured his side carried a 1–0 advantage into halftime.
India found their rhythm in the second quarter, equalising in the 22nd minute through a well-taken field goal by Abhishek. Just a minute later, Nilakanta Sharma added another field goal to give India a 2–1 lead heading into the break.
The third quarter saw India maintain dominance in possession, and their pressure paid off in the 40th minute when Sukhjeet Singh scored after breaking through Pakistan’s defence.
India extended their lead to 4–1 in the final quarter when Rajinder Singh successfully converted a penalty corner in the 7th minute. Pakistan, however, responded quickly with Abu Bakar Mahmood scoring from a penalty corner the following minute to narrow the margin.
In the closing stages, Pakistan pushed forward in search of further goals. Their efforts were rewarded in the final minute when Moin Shakeel converted another penalty corner, reducing the deficit to 4–3, but India held on to secure victory.
The result marked India’s third win of the tournament, lifting them to seventh place in the standings with 13 points. Pakistan, meanwhile, suffered their 13th consecutive defeat in the nine-team competition and remained at the bottom of the table with zero points.
The defeat also confirmed Pakistan’s relegation from the FIH Pro League, ending a difficult campaign for the side despite flashes of competitive performance throughout the match.
