India, Pakistan players shake hands after Hockey World Cup clash

India beat Pakistan 5-3 in their final Pool D match of the Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen, Netherlands, on Wednesday, but it was the players’ post-match handshake that drew particular attention amid recent tensions between the two countries in sport.

The match was fiercely contested, with India taking the lead in the fifth minute through captain Harmanpreet Singh from a penalty corner. Abhishek doubled the lead six minutes later. Harmanpreet scored again in the 21st minute before Pakistan’s Hannan Shahid pulled one back a minute later. Abhishek restored India’s three-goal advantage in the 24th minute, while Sufiyan Khan scored from a penalty corner in the same minute to make it 4-2.

India extended their lead in the 34th minute when Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke. Hannan scored his second goal early in the final quarter, but Pakistan could not reduce the deficit further.

Although the players did not follow the customary handshake line immediately after the national anthems, they briefly touched hands and exchanged greetings. After the final whistle at the Wagener Stadium, however, players from both sides shook hands, displaying sportsmanship despite the political tensions between India and Pakistan.

The result sent India through to the next round as the second-placed team from Pool D. Pakistan, meanwhile, were eliminated in the group stage on their return to the World Cup after an eight-year absence. The four-time world champions had returned to the tournament but failed to progress beyond the opening stage.

The post-match handshake between the players stood out as a message of sportsmanship and goodwill despite the wider tensions between the two countries.

-HIS