Pakistan hammer Sri Lanka 14-0 in Asian Games opener

E-Paper | May 04, 2026

Three players scored hattricks as Pakistan began their Asian Games title defence with a 14-0 rout of Sri Lanka at the Seonhak Hockey Stadium in Incheon, South Korea, on Saturday.

Captain Muhammad Imran, who has been a rock in defense for the 'Greenshirts', netted four through penalty corners, while Muhammad Umar Bhutta and Muhammad Rizwan Sr scored three field goals each in a dominating performance by Pakistan.

Also read: Asian Games: Rusty Pakistan confident of hockey gold

Muhammad Irfan (2), Muhammad Waqas (1) and Muhammad Tousiq (1) were the other scorers in a goal spree which began in the very first minute of the match against minnows Sri Lanka.

In their next game, Pakistan will take on China on September 21 before the potentially cracking clash against India on September 25. The Greenshirts will take on Oman in their last pool game on September 27.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Sport

Hardie heroics deny Kingsmen fairytale as Zalmi reign supreme in decider

Pakistan women face Zimbabwe in first ODI today

Late goal by Mainoo lifts United to win over Liverpool

Ikram

Sep 20, 2014 04:31pm

Congratulations, a win is a win regardless of who the opponent is!

Recommend 0

ailly

Sep 20, 2014 04:34pm

@Ikram ......... Nice gesture.

Recommend 0

Khurram

Sep 20, 2014 04:42pm

Great start to the event...... Go Pakistan go .........

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Sep 20, 2014 05:14pm

This is how green-shirts used in perform in the past against South Korea, Iran, Malaysia, Belgium, New Zealand, Kenya, Ireland, Nepal and such type of countries in field hockey. However, most of these countries have improved their field hockey skills so much that they are no more "push-overs" in field hockey. What a revolution in global field hockey?

Recommend 0

M. Siddique

Sep 20, 2014 05:52pm

Do we think this team will qualify for world olympics?

Recommend 0

sanatani

Sep 20, 2014 06:22pm

congratulation!!

Recommend 0

Just a thought

Sep 20, 2014 06:32pm

Good to see just a few but positive comments. Keep up the good work Green Shirts. You will need to start from somewhere and this is a good beginning. God bless!

Recommend 0

nasir siddique

Sep 20, 2014 06:37pm

In a few years they will b beating us.

Recommend 0

Aban Usmani

Sep 20, 2014 06:57pm

Great Start Thanks Shehnaz Sheikh

Recommend 0

Sal

Sep 20, 2014 07:01pm

Wait till you play real teams like Korea or Japan, that will show how good we really are.

Recommend 0

Sep 20, 2014 07:04pm

India already bagged one gold n one bronze

Recommend 0

Amir Mahmood

Sep 20, 2014 07:30pm

Keep up the momentum Pakistani heroes and beat everybody else in the group with at least the same margin.

Recommend 0

Amir Mahmood

Sep 20, 2014 07:36pm

@NN Mongolia has won two gold medals already also.

Recommend 0

Sunil

Sep 20, 2014 07:37pm

Good to start for Pakistan, by beating the Sri Lankan under dogs. Morale will be high.

Recommend 0

One Nation

Sep 20, 2014 08:46pm

And now we will celebrate? Really?

Recommend 0

Moiz Omar

Sep 21, 2014 12:07am

Great job Team Pakistan!!

Recommend 0

dawn

Sep 21, 2014 12:27am

@M. Siddique -will see when we get there - for now CONGRATULATIONS and well done Paksitan.

Recommend 0

shami

Sep 21, 2014 01:37am

Their hammer works on teams like SL. But anyways good work.

Recommend 0

Ali Vaqar Awan

Sep 21, 2014 09:12am

Pakistan Hockey Team got off to excellent start by producing rain of goals. Real test for Pakistan would be against India and China. Wining gold be an uphill task as game in last 4 will be very challenging. These days no team can be underestimated. Also the format has changed instead of 2 halves, its 4 quarters along with reduction of time. In this format India has superior advantage as they have played it in their leagues. New format requires extra level of fitness, strategy, tactics and swift passing. In coming games Pakistan have to raise their level if they have to win gold or reach final. My prayers are still with our hockey team that they win gold. Rest they have to play their best and make extra-ordinary efforts.

Recommend 0

Kamran Usman

Sep 21, 2014 11:22am

Well done!

Recommend 0

N K Ali

Sep 21, 2014 12:16pm

Hahaaah! So what? So what? This is just the beginning. Wait till the hockey game gets into the Sri Lankans bloodstream and then we will see what happens. Do not laugh and be over zealous when scoring a goal, because soon some other team will come and smite your pride. Salams

Recommend 0

raiawais

Sep 21, 2014 12:51pm

This is how pakistan plays, win in the start loose at the last.

Recommend 0

Unaired Baadsha

Sep 21, 2014 09:17pm

A win is a win is a win.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa expands climate action with one Million Tree Drive and forest reforms

The province is turning policy into action through a series of large scale programmes aimed at rebuilding ecosystems and improving resilience against rising climate pressures.

Taptap Send, Arshad Nadeem partner to highlight Pakistan’s unsung champions

The initiative comes at a time when cricket continues to dominate national attention, often overshadowing achievements in other sports.

NexGen Auto (Nishat Group) to Introduce iCAUR in Pakistan

As one of Pakistan’s leading business groups, Nishat Group operates across key sectors including textiles, cement, banking, insurance, power and agriculture.