INDIA’S hopes of booking a berth in next year’s Champions Trophy were shattered as they went down 3- 6 to archrivals Pakistan in the semifinal of the Champions Challenge I hockey tournament in Salta, Argentina.

In- form India, who were Group A toppers with an unbeaten record, failed to find the bearings in the encounter and Pakistan led 3- 1 at half- time.

India now face Argentina for the third- place play- off. Pakistan play New Zealand in the summit clash and the winner will qualify for the 2010 Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach, Germany.

New Zealand had beaten Argentina 3- 2 in the other semi- final.

All the Indian goals came from penalty corners through Dhananjay Mahadik ( eighth and 62nd minutes) and Diwakar Ram ( 67th minute).

For Pakistan, Rehan Butt ( 2nd, 29th and 64th) scored a hat- trick of field goals while Sohail Abbas ( 32nd, 70th) found the target twice and Haseem Khan ( 58th) got one.

As early as the second minute, goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza failed to stop a seemingly harmless shot by Butt to concede the lead to Pakistan.

India equalised in the eighth minute with Mahadik sounding the board with a well- executed penalty corner.

A phenomenal shot by Butt in the 29th minute restored Pakistan’s lead. Penalty- corner specialist Abbas then found the target three minutes later. After resumption, India increased the lead via quick counter- attacks.

Haseem took advantage in the 58th minute before a flurry of four goals in the last eight minutes. Mahadik scored from a penalty corner in the 62nd minute to make it 4- 2 but Butt answered two minutes later to complete his hat- trick. Diwakar converted a short corner three minutes from time but Abbas made it 6- 3 in the last minute via a penalty stroke.