COLOMBO, Oct 31: India scored eight tries to brush aside Pakistan 52-15 in the first international rugby match between the two countries in Sri Lanka on Friday.

India also scored three conversions and two penalties during the game at Colombo’s Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club ground, while Pakistan managed two tries, a conversion and a penalty.

India led 27-10 at halftime, as captain Chaitanya Singh scoring two tries, with Emil Varthazerian scoring two tries and then completing the conversions.

For Pakistan 17-year-old Hammad Safder and Fouzan Wain scored tries, while Zaheer Niazi picked up the conversion.

The match was part of a regional tournament, which also includes three Sri Lankan domestic teams, hosted by the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.

The 36-year-old said many of his players, including himself, had taken to the sport only in their twenties.—APP/AP