India Witnesses Another Defeat from Pakistan: World Polo Championship
Green-Shirts defeated arch-rival India 5-4, for the third consecutive time in 10 years, in the first Zone “E” play-off match of the Polo World Championship at the Innada Polo Club in Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to details, the two teams competed in the Zone ‘E’ Polo World Cup play-offs where Pakistan defeated India 5-4 and prevailed over India in the Polo World Cup qualifying round.
Meeting India’s historic rivals was key to securing a coveted position at the Polo World Championship to be held in the United States later this year. According to information provided by the secretary of the Pakistan Polo Association (PPA), Lt. Colonel Ayaz Ahmed, the Pakistani team played well against India with phenomenal Hamza Mawaz Khan and Raja Sami Ullah scoring 4 goals each, while the young and energetic Raja Mikayel Sami and Raja Temur Nadeem scored 3. goals each.
In the final moments, the match was drawn 4-4, but Raja Temur sent the ball to Raja Mikayel, who scored the winning goal and helped Pakistan to their first win in the mega event. On the Indian side, Sawai Padmanabh Singh and Shamsheer Ali scored 4 goals each while Kuldeep Singh and Naveen Singh scored 3 goals each.
It should be noted that the Polo World Cup has been held every three years since the inaugural tournament was held in Argentina in 1987. For the past 10 years, India has refused to play in Pakistan and is not unwilling to invite Pakistan to play in their country. It is the third consecutive defeat that Pakistan inflicts on India in neutral venues in China, Iran and now South Africa.
