Pakistan to play with arch-rivals India in the Asian Champions Trophy match at Kuantan in Malaysia today.
This would be 166th match between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan appeared in the tournament without captain Mohammad Imran, who was dropped after he sent his passport to the UK consulate for a visa and didn’t get it back on time to travel to Malaysia.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has promised an inquiry against him.
“Imran will be missed as he has been a key factor in recent matches against India,” former Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui said.
Pakistani players and officials have been told to keep their emotions in check when they clash with India.
A senior PHF official while talking to media said “Given the existing tensions between the two countries at every level we have asked our players to not only avoid statements on the match but also keep calm and cool no matter what the result of the match,”
The official said that after the Champions Trophy semi-final fiasco in December 2014, the PHF didn’t want more tensions with the Indian hockey board.
