Pakistan Hockey Team Advised to Avoid Confrontations With India

Lahore, Oct 13 (PTI) - The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has advised the national team players to steer clear of any confrontation with Indian players during their Sultan of Johor Cup match in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Tuesday. They have been urged to focus solely on their game. In the aftermath of 'Operation Sindoor', the Indian cricket team abstained from shaking hands with Pakistani players during the recent Asia Cup matches, including the final, leading to a controversy. Pakistan protested this gesture with the Asian Cricket Council as well as the ICC. The Indian junior men's hockey team is expected to adopt a similar approach in their upcoming match against Pakistan. A senior PHF official indicated that the players have been mentally prepared for a potential no-handshake policy from the Indian side. "If the Indian players choose not to shake hands before or after the match, the players have been instructed to ignore it and move on," the official stated. They are advised to avoid any emotional conflicts or gestures during the game. After a resounding 7-1 victory against hosts Malaysia to open their campaign, Pakistan faced defeat in their second match against Great Britain. Notably, Pakistan skipped sending its team to India for the men's Asia Cup in August, where Bangladesh participated as a replacement in Rajgir, Bihar. The federation has emphasized to the players that focusing on their performance is paramount.

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