Champions Trophy

Pakistan defeat hosts India but lose to Germany in final.

Before the quarter-finals, no one would have predicted the Greenshirts making it this far in the tournament after they lost all three of their group-stage matches to Belgium, Great Britain and Australia.

However, despite that and an otherwise poor past year amidst financial constraints, Pakistan deservedly won their spot in the final four after a superb display against the Netherlands, emerging 4-2 victors.

In a sell-out semi-final, arch-rivals and former masters of the game, India and Pakistan — ranked ninth and 11th in the world respectively — set out to renew their rivalry and gun for a first major final spot since 1998.

When they faced hosts India, it was a game of nerves, as both sides did their best to one-up each other; however, Pakistan came out on top with a narrow 4-3 win.

This secured a final encounter against Olympic champions Germany. However, that proved to be one step too far for the Greenshirts, who were beaten 2-0  by the Germans but were still given a hero’s welcome on their return back home.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st,  2014.

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