In a masterclass of attacking hockey, India handed Pakistan a 5-1 defeat and dent Mohammad Imran's side's prospects of a podium finish in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on Tuesday.

For Pakistan, the opponents changed but the result was as damning as their previous two losses where they were outdone 4-0 and 5-3 by Australia and New Zealand respectively.

India were put on the board in just the 4th minute through Manpreet Singh and though Pakistan came back through captain Mohammad Imran's penalty corner in the 7th, it was one way traffic for the rest of the encounter.

Sunil added another goal to his tally in the 10th minute while Talwinder Singh (50) and Rupinder Pal Singh (54) scored one each in a clinical display by India.

Pakistan are currently placed at the 6th spot on the table and with two more games to play against Malaysia and Japan, they need a dramatic turnaround to ensure a 3rd-4th place bronze medal playoff.