KARACHI: Defending champions Pakistan and runners-up India are placed in the same pool of the 12th South Asian Games hockey tournament which is being held at Moullana MD Tayabullah Hockey Stadium, Guwahati, from Sunday.

Pakistan retained the hockey gold defeating arch rivals and the host India 4-3 on penalty stroke shootout after being locked one-all in the regulation and extra time.

According to draws, four teams are competing in the men’s hockey event that will be played on the league cum knockout basis.

Other two nations competing in the event are Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan is drawn to meet Sri Lanka in the opening match on Sunday. The high voltage Pakistan-India clash will be played on Monday while the greenshirts takes on Bangladesh in their third match on Feb 10.

The third and fourth finishers at the end of league will play for the bronze medal while the top two will fight for gold. Both the matches will be played on Feb 12.

Meanwhile, three teams will fight for glory in the women’s hockey event.

The teams include India, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2016