LUDHIANA (India), Dec 15: India beat Pakistan 48-39 to emerge champions of the fourth Kabaddi World Cup played at the Guru Nanak Stadium here on Saturday.

Defending champions India retained the title for a fourth consecutive term defeating arch-rival Pakistan with a margin of nine points.

In the first-half it was a stiff battle between the two sides. However, as the match progressed India slowly started dominating and finally outsmarted the Pakistani outfit.

Braving cold weather, chief guest of the final — Chief Ministers from both sides of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif of Pakistan and Parkash Singh Badal of India — and other dignitaries were present till the match concluded close to midnight and distributed prizes to the teams.—Agencies