India-Pakistan at Champions Trophy
The traditional rivals met in the Champions Trophy for the first time in 1980, and the visitors were outclassed for a 1-7. Pakistan struck three goals in the last three minutes of the game, and Hanif Khan posted a hat-trick in the fluent win.
India avenged the defeat when they met next time in 1982. Helped by a hattrick by Rajinder Singh Sr. India emerged successful in the high scoring match at 5-4 score.
In 1983 in Karanchi, India did everything but score, but Pakistan twice.
In 1985, Md. Shahid and MP Singh scored a goal apiece to defeat Pakistan 2-1.
Those were the times Md. Shahid used to be a thorn in the flesh of Pakistan and it again told in 1986 when India again outclassed Pakistan (3-2) with Md. Shahid, Thoiba Singh and Tikken Singh being Indian scorers.
In 1989, Qamar Ibrahim’s lone goal gave Pakistan a win
Thereafter, that is, having played six times in the Champions Trophy, India had big miss for next six years, till it qualified for the 1995 edition after attaining fifth rank at the Sydney World Cup. Cedric D’Souza’s tight defence strategy did not work much as India went down 1-2 in Berlin.
India hosted it in 1996 in Chennai, but the hosts failed again (2-3) despite total domination. Shabaz Sr. and Jr were the Indian tormentors while Goalie would not let any of India’s 11 penalty corners in.
The came another six years of gap.
India re-entered the elite group in 2002.
This third spell in the Champions Trophy company provided enough thrills for India – Pakistan fans.