In a refreshing display of camaraderie, Indian and Pakistani hockey players exchanged handshakes and high-fives during their face-off at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia on Oct 14 – a striking contrast to the frosty exchanges between the two nations’ cricket teams in recent months.
Held at Johor’s Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, the fiercely contested match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
India, led by veteran goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, staged a stunning comeback from a two-goal deficit before Pakistan equalised in the final minute.
Despite the intensity on the field, players from both sides shared gestures of mutual respect before and after the game, exchanging pleasantries and showing that sportsmanship transcends political divides.
The goodwill stood in stark contrast to recent cricketing encounters.
During the 2025 Asia Cup and Women’s World Cup, Indian cricketers – including captains Suryakumar Yadav and Harmanpreet Kaur – had refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts following heightened tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor.
India’s men’s team even refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chief and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Ahead of the hockey match, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had advised its players to avoid confrontation, anticipating potential tension. “Players were briefed to remain calm and focus on the game,” a PHF official told the Press Trust of India.
The scenes in Johor Bahru, however, painted a different picture – one of unity through sport.
As political strains persist off the field, the young hockey players’ simple gesture of respect served as a small yet powerful reminder of the shared humanity that underpins sporting rivalry.
