Pakistan Thrash Oman 7-2, Set Up India Hockey Clash

ISLAMABAD: (Sports Desk) – Pakistan thrashed Oman 7-2 in their final pool-stage match of the men’s hockey competition at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan on Tuesday, securing second place in Pool B and setting up a semifinal clash against arch-rivals India.

The match was played at Kawasaki Juko Stadium, where Pakistan took an early lead and went into half-time ahead 2-1 before extending their advantage in the second half.

Rana Waheed starred with a hat-trick, while Sufyan Khan scored twice. Ghazanfar Ali and Mohammad Imad also contributed one goal each to complete Pakistan’s seven-goal tally.

Pakistan finished second in Pool B with 12 points, behind Malaysia, who topped the group with 15 points.

The Green Shirts won four of their five pool matches, with their only defeat coming against Malaysia. They scored 28 goals and conceded eight during the group stage.

Pakistan will now face arch-rivals India in the men’s hockey semifinal on October 1.

Meanwhile, Pakistan also advanced to the men’s cricket semifinals at the Asian Games after rain washed out their quarterfinal against Hong Kong, China, in Nisshin, Japan.

With no play possible, Pakistan progressed because they were the higher-ranked team under the tournament’s weather-related rules, bringing Hong Kong’s campaign to an end.

India also advanced to the semifinals after rain prevented their quarterfinal against Afghanistan from taking place.

Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had entered the knockout stage directly on the basis of their rankings, while Hong Kong qualified for the quarterfinals after finishing second in Group B.