Pakistan, India to face off in Sultan of Johor Cup 2025

JOHOR BAHRU: Old rivals Pakistan and India are ready to face off once again in the Sultan of Johor Cup 2025 on October 14 at Malaysia’s Taman Daya Hockey Stadium.

The U21 men’s international hockey tournament, held every year since 2011, is one of the top junior hockey events in the world. The current edition, running from October 11 to 18, features six strong teams — Pakistan, India, Australia, Great Britain, Malaysia, and New Zealand — all competing for the title.

Great Britain, the defending champions, enter the event as favorites after winning their fourth title last year by defeating Australia in a thrilling final.

Pakistan’s Schedule and Squad

According to the schedule, Pakistan will begin their campaign against hosts Malaysia on October 11, followed by a match against Great Britain the next day. After a short break, they will meet India in one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament.

Pakistan will then face New Zealand on October 15 and Australia on October 17. The final and classification matches will take place on October 18.

Pakistan’s junior team includes a mix of experienced and young players, such as Ali Raza, Muhammad Faizan Janjua, Muhammad Sufyan, Muhammad Wasim, Samiullah, Muhammad Nadeem Khan, Zakaria Hayat, Aqeel Ahmed, Muhammad Imad, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Ali Murtaza, Rana Muhammad Walid Ashraf, Hamza Fayyaz, Abdul Qayyum, Muhammad Usman, Ashraf, Basharat Ali, and Muhammad Shaheer.

Anticipation Builds for Pakistan-India Match

The upcoming Pakistan-India encounter is already generating excitement among hockey fans. Known for its high energy and emotional intensity, the rivalry always draws huge attention and passionate support from both nations.

A Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) official expressed confidence before the tournament, saying the team had trained hard and was fully prepared. “Our players are raring to go and ready to leave everything on the field. The India match is always special, but our priority is performing consistently in the tournament,” he said.

India, too, will aim to dominate the event, as their U21 program continues to produce top-level players.

The Sultan of Johor Cup has long been a platform for emerging hockey stars. With pride and preparation for future world competitions on the line, the Pakistan-India clash on October 14 promises to be one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament.

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