The Asian Games will see India and Pakistan facing each other in two different sporting disciplines on Saturday, 30th September. The arch-rivals are set to face-off in the Gold medal contest in the Men’s squash team event. Later, the Men’s Hockey teams from both the sides will be up against each other in the group encounter. While squash final gets underway at 1PM, the hockey match will get underway at 6.15 PM IST. Fans can catch the LIVE action on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV App.
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India vs Pakistan at Asian Games 2023
The Asian Games 2023 has already witnessed some India Pakistan clashes. The Men’s Volleyball teams of both the nations met in the fifth place play-off and the Indian Men lost the contest. In squash too Pakistan tasted success when both the teams met earlier in the group stage. Apart from the matches today, the tournament is also set to witness Indian and Pakistan facing each other in other sports as well in the upcoming days.
Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem (Athletics)
Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem need no introduction when it comes to the India vs Pakistan rivalry. Both have been the best javelin throwers this year, with Neeraj pipping the Pakistani in the World Championships recently. At the Asian Games 2023, both of them will face off again, which will be a tough battle, to say the least. Arshad has better personal best than Neeraj, with the former becoming the first in Asia to throw the javelin beyond 90m. India’s Neeraj Chopra is yet to surpass that mark but is amazingly consistent. Once again, looking at the recent form, it looks like Neeraj will win the gold, but nothing certain can be said as of now.
Kabaddi
Since the introduction of kabaddi at the Asian Games, India vs Pakistan has been one of the most mouth-watering clashes. Despite being an equally popular game in both places, the Pakistanis have never been able to beat India, be it the league matches, or the medal encounters. In fact, Pakistan has reached the final twice and lost both times to India. At the Asian Games 2023, India-Pakistan are in different groups and could play each other in the knockout. This would only happen if Pakistan makes it to the next round.
Hockey
Even before the India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry became famous, it was the battle on the hockey field that held the most weightage. Both nations have played each other 179 times and Pakistan has emerged victorious 82 times. India has won 65 games, while 32 have been drawn. Just at the Asian Games, they have played 15 times, with India winning only four times. Pakistan has won eight times at Asiad competitions.
Having said that, Pakistan is nowhere close to its past prowess, and is ranked 15th in the world, as compared to India, who is third currently. If Pakistan can even compete with the Indians, it will come as a big surprise. Nonetheless, it promises to be an epic encounter as always.
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