The numbers game: Pakistan's edge over India in hockey encounters
Although Pakistan's current form is not so encouraging, records give them an upper hand against India
October 15, 2017
An encounter between arch-rivals Pakistan and India in any sport is never 'just another match' for either team. Players—be they of cricket, hockey, or any other game—enter the field with high emotions, always making it a high-voltage match.
With both teams set for a spectacular Asia Cup Hockey match in Dhaka on Sunday, let's have a look at the statistical background of encounters between the two teams in the field of hockey.
India will enter the match with a winning streak of five back-to-back wins against Pakistan. They have won twice in the FIH World Hockey League, twice in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, and once in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2016.
Before India's current five-win streak, the Green Shirts had a winning run of three matches against the men-in-blue.
Overall, both teams have met each other in 169 games, with Pakistan winning 82 and India winning 57 of them. The remaining 30 matches between the traditional rivals ended as draws.
In the history of the Asia Cup, the former champions have faced each other on six occasions, with Pakistan winning five of them, and India winning just one Asia Cup match against Pakistan.
Pakistan has overall scored 390 goals against India's 337 goals in a total of 169 matches. In six Asia Cup games, Pakistan scored 18 goals against India's 10 goals.
In Dhaka, Pakistan has won two games against India, while the neighbouring country has won one. One of the four matches between the two in the Bangladesh capital has ended as draw.
55 goals by Sohail Abbas is the most by any player in Indo-Pak matches. Sandeep Singh is the highest goal scorer for India in Indo-Pak encounters, with 21 goals.
Although Pakistan's current form against India is not so encouraging, records give the Green Shirts a historical upper hand against India.
Some statistical highlights from Pakistan vs India hockey rivalry show that:
• Pakistan has won more Indo-Pak matches in India than India. (Played 39, Pak won 23, India won 14)
• Pakistan has won more Indo-Pak matches in Pakistan than India. (Played 34, Pak won 16, India won 9)
• Pakistan has won more Indo-Pak matches in rest of Asia than India. (Played 56, Pak won 23, India won 22)
• Pakistan has won more Indo-Pak matches in Europe than India. (Played 26, Pak won 17, India won 7)
With this glorious record, Pakistan hockey fans are hopeful that the men-in-green will bring India's current streak to an end and hoist the Pakistani flag high on hockey field once again.
