NEW DELHI, May 19: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will take part in the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament to be held in Amsterdam in August, officials said on Monday.

Defending champions and hosts the Netherlands, Germany, Australia and Argentina are the other teams in the elite six-nation event from Aug 16 to 24.

According to the itinerary released here, both India and Pakistan will feature on the opening day. India take on the Dutch after Pakistan clash with Australia in the first match.

The annual tournament, featuring the top six teams in the world, will be the last major event before next year’s Athens Olympics.

Each team plays the other once in the preliminary league with the top two teams contesting the final.

The game between India and Pakistan is slated for Aug 22.

Schedule:

Aug 16: Pakistan v Australia; Netherlands v India.

Aug 17: Argentina v Pakistan; Australia v Netherlands; India v Germany.

Aug 18: Germany v Argentina.

Aug 19: India v Australia; Netherlands v Pakistan.

Aug 20: Australia v Germany; Argentina v India.

Aug 21: Pakistan v Germany; Netherlands v Argentina.

Aug 22: India v Pakistan.

Aug 23: Argentina v Australia; Germany v Netherlands.

Aug 24: Play-offs for minor placings followed by final.—AFP