India-Pakistan play exciting 3-3 draw at Sultan of Johor Cup, players engage in customary handshake

India-Pakistan players engage in customary handshake

The Indian junior men's hockey team engaged in a 3-3 draw against arch-rivals Pakistan in the 13th edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on Tuesday. This was India's third match in the tournament, having defeated Great Britain (3-2) and New Zealand (4-2) in the last two matches.

The proceedings began with Pakistan claiming an early lead in the first quarter as their skipper Hannan Shahid successfully converted a penalty stroke. There were no further additions to the scorecard beyond this in the first thirty minutes.

Pakistan then doubled their advantage midway into the third quarter with Sufyan Khan getting his name on the scoresheet with a thunderous drag-flick.

India then rallied from behind as Araijeet Hundal converted a penalty stroke moments later. The third quarter saw India reduce the deficit by a goal.

With a 2-1 scoreline the pressure was always on India and the team responded brilliantly until allowing a comeback by the opposition in the closing stages. Sourabh Anand scored the equaliser inside three minutes and Manmeet Singh gave India a lead for the first time in the contest midway in the final quarter.

However, Sufyan Khan scored his second goal of the evening to give Pakistan a sigh of relief as barely five minutes were remaining in the match.

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Interestingly players of both nations engaged in the customary handshake before the start of the match. The action was reportedly initiated by a few Pakistan players and some India players obliged to the gesture.

Customary handshake has largely been in spotlight due to recent turn of events in the cricket field. Suryakumar Yadav-led India had refused to engage in any pre or post match rituals with Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025 last month and the women's cricket team maintained the stance at the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup.