BHUBANESWAR, India: Pakistan will face India on Saturday in the second semifinal of the eight-nation Hero Hockey Champions Trophy being played in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the Indian state of Odisha.
The 35th edition of the hockey champions trophy for men began on December 6 in Bhubaneswar, and will conclude on December 14.
The match between the two arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled to begin at 19:30 Indian Standard Time (IST).
“I am very happy that India and Pakistan are playing each other in the semifinals of a world level tournament. It is good for India-Pakistan hockey,” Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh said.
The first semifinal of the tournament will be played between Australia and Germany today at 17:15 IST.
On Thursday, Pakistan beat the Netherlands 4-2 in the Hero Hockey Champions Trophy quarter-final at Bhubaneswar, and qualified for the semifinal of the tournament.
It was Pakistan’s first win over the Dutch in the Champions Trophy since 1998.
Earlier Pakistan, currently ranked 11th in the world, lost all their Pool A matches against Belgium, England and Australia respectively.
There are eight prominent teams from all over the world including India, Pakistan, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, England, Argentine and Belgium which are taking part in the event.
