Kabaddi World Cup: Pakistan thrash Canada to reach final

Asian champions avenge last year’s loss with 53-27 win in semi-final.

Pakistan avenged last year’s shock defeat at the hands of Canada after thrashing the same opponents 53-27 to reach the final of 3rd Kabaddi World Cup in India.

Pakistan skipper Musharraf had vowed to improve on last year’s result when Pakistan lost 44-39 and had to settle for bronze. His players responded in the best manner possible. The Asian champions were in dominant form throughout the group stage and continued in the same way, helped by the return of raider Lala Obaidullah who managed 10 successful raids, according to coach Tahir Waheed.

“The team put up a great show emphatically defeating a strong team like Canada,” Waheed told The Express Tribune. “The effort speaks volumes about our players. Obaidullah is our main player and he made a huge difference to the side on his comeback after a week-long illness.”

The official also praised the defence line stating that the defenders did not allow Canadian raiders any easy points which helped Pakistan maintain a big gap during the match. Waheed added that he was happy that none of his players sustained any sort of injury in the semi-final which could have proved costly in the all-important final.

“I hope that it’s a Pakistan-India final because it would be a great spectacle where players from both sides would put their body and blood on line for supremacy.”

India were due to take on Iran in the second semi-final late last night.

Earlier, Pakistan had secured top spot in the group after beating Sierra Leone (55-12), Scotland (61-21) and Italy (66-20).

Canadian player tests positive

Meanwhile, a Canadian player was reported to have tested positive for a banned substance.

“A player has been found guilty of consuming banned drugs,” read a press release from the Punjab government, the organisers of the event. “The matter was disclosed in the National Anti Doping Agency report to the organising committee of the tournament.”

The release said that Canadian player Varinder Singh Dhanoa has been found guilty of taking drugs and he was banned from taking any further part in the World Cup.

The player was also fined which would be deducted from the prize-money of the Canadian team.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2012.