India Hold Off Pakistan Fightback to Secure Thrilling 4-3 Victory in FIH Pro League

The Indian men’s hockey team extended its unbeaten run against Pakistan with a hard-fought 4-3 victory in the FIH Pro League 2025–26 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London. Despite surrendering an early lead and facing a late comeback, India produced a clinical attacking display to claim another important win.

India bounced back after conceding the opening goal, scoring four times through Abhishek, Nilakanta Sharma, Sukhjeet Singh, and Rajinder Singh before surviving a spirited late surge from Pakistan to secure all three points.

How Did India Beat Pakistan in the FIH Pro League?

Pakistan stunned India by opening the scoring in the eighth minute.

Ahmad Nadeem converted a penalty corner variation that caught India’s defence off guard, giving Pakistan an early advantage.

India responded positively and gradually took control of the contest with quick passing, aggressive attacking play and efficient finishing inside the shooting circle.

India Score Four Goals to Take Control

India equalised in the 22nd minute when Abhishek found the net.

Just two minutes later, Nilakanta Sharma completed the turnaround to hand India the lead before halftime.

The second half continued in India’s favour as Sukhjeet Singh extended the advantage in the 40th minute, while Rajinder Singh added a fourth goal in the 52nd minute, putting India firmly in command.

Pakistan Mount Late Comeback

Pakistan refused to surrender and produced a strong finish.

Captain Abu Mahmood reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute by converting a penalty corner that slipped through goalkeeper Suraj Karkera’s legs.

The visitors continued attacking and scored again in the final minute when Moin Shakeel converted a rebound after Pakistan earned its eighth penalty corner of the match.

However, India successfully defended the closing seconds to seal a narrow but valuable victory.

India Extend Unbeaten Run Against Pakistan

The victory continued India’s dominance over Pakistan in international hockey.

India has now remained unbeaten against Pakistan since 2016, when it lost the South Asian Games final in Guwahati.

The two rivals are scheduled to meet again later in the tournament, with India aiming to preserve that impressive record.

Penalty Corner Conversion Remains a Concern

Despite the victory, India will look to improve its penalty corner efficiency.

The team failed to convert all 11 penalty corners it earned during the match, highlighting an area that head coach Craig Fulton will likely address before the next fixture.

India also conceded several late penalty corners, an issue that had similarly surfaced in the previous match against Germany.

Clinical Finishing Gives India the Edge

Although penalty corners proved ineffective, India’s field goals made the difference.

The attacking quartet consistently troubled Pakistan’s defence, with goals from Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh standing out for their quality and execution.

Their clinical finishing ultimately proved decisive in securing another important Pro League victory.

What Comes Next?

India will next face England in another crucial Pro League encounter, a fixture expected to provide an even tougher challenge.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will also play England but faces relegation after enduring a difficult campaign without earning a point.

India will hope to carry its attacking momentum into the remaining matches as it looks to climb the Pro League standings.

Key Takeaways

• India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in the FIH Pro League.
• India recovered after conceding the opening goal in the eighth minute.
• Abhishek, Nilakanta Sharma, Sukhjeet Singh and Rajinder Singh scored for India.
• India extended its unbeaten streak against Pakistan dating back to 2016.
• Penalty corner conversion remains an area for improvement after India failed to convert 11 opportunities.