KARACHI: The Pakistan men’s team cruised into the summit clash of the Kabaddi World Cup being played in India but their women’s counterparts lost their semi-final on Thursday.

According to the information made available here, the men’s team trounced Iran 56-28 in Sangrur to set up a tantalising final against India on Saturday in Bhatinda with the hosts routing England 54-33 in the other semi-final.

Their victory came after the women’s team lost 19-47 at the same venue to India in their last-four clash and they will now face Denmark in a match for third place.

Pakistan men’s team captain Shafiq Chishti dedicated the team’s victory to the victims of the Peshawar tragedy in which 132 children were among 141 people who lost their lives.

“We dedicate our victory to the attack victims in Peshawar,” Shafiq told reporters. “The happenings in Peshawar shocked us.”

Shafiq’s team outplayed Iran in every department of the game, showing excellent form, fitness, technique and speed with the Pakistan raiders and stoppers in imperious form.

Mohammad Khan was the most successful raider with seven points while Shafiq and Akmal Shahzad Dogar contributed six each, followed by Lala Obaid Ullah, Rehman Ishtiaq and Mohammad Irfan (five each).

Musharraf Javed Janjua was the most outstanding stopper with five points.

The women’s team, meanwhile, were no match for an Indian outfit which has been playing competitive kabaddi for the last 12 years with raider Neelum Riaz offering some resistance by scoring seven points.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2014