Pakistan lose narrowly to India in FIH Pro League thriller

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jun, 2026) Pakistan hockey team put up a spirited performance against arch-rivals India in the FIH Pro League in England on Tuesday, going down 3-4 in a closely contested match despite battling injuries to key players including the captain.

Pakistan drew first blood in the eighth minute through Nadeem Ahmad, who converted a penalty corner to give the green shirts an early lead. India, however, struck back through Abhishek in the 22nd minute and Nilakanta Sharma in the 24th minute to take control. The second half saw Sukhjit Singh and Rajinder Singh score successive goals for India before Pakistan's captain Abubakar Mahmood and Moin Shakeel pulled goals back through penalty corners to make the scoreline 3-4, but it was not enough to salvage a result.

Goalkeeper Ali Raza produced a series of crucial saves throughout the contest, preventing the margin of defeat from being wider.

Pakistan Hockey Federation President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani praised the team's performance despite the defeat, describing their display against one of Asia's top sides as highly commendable.

"Even with our captain and two key players sidelined through injury, our young players showed tremendous courage and resolve on the field," Wani said in a statement. "To compete so strongly against an Indian side that recently defeated world-class Netherlands 3-2 is a clear proof of our team's immense potential and a promising sign for the future."