Akashdeep Singh named best hockey player at Asian Champions Trophy
India's hockey player, Akashdeep Singh, was adjudged "Player of the Tournament" at Asian Men's Hockey Champions Trophy but the Indian team had to share the title with Pakistan after the final was abandoned due to heavy downpour in Muscat, Oman. Heavy rain delayed the start of the final late Sunday night and though it stopped later, the damage had already been done by then.
The turf was completely waterlogged because of thunderstorm and heavy showers. After discussion with the coaches of both India and Pakistan, the tournament director decided to call off the match and declare both the teams as joint winners. Since India won the toss of coin, it earned the right to take home the trophy this year. It'll be given to Pakistan for next year.
Since India took home the trophy, the gold medals were presented to the Pakistani players. Asian Hockey Federation Chief Executive Dato Tayyab Ikram said gold medals will soon be sent for the Indian players. Apart from Akashdeep, PR Sreejesh was declared the best goalkeeper. Pakistan's Abu Bakkar Mahmood was named Emerging Player of the Tournament while Malaysia's Faisal Saari was the highest scorer.
India topped the round-robin stages with 13 points, courtesy four wins out of their five games, thus remaining unbeaten in the tournament. Pakistan ended the round-robin stages on the second spot with 10 points. India had earlier defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the round-robin stage. Malaysia claimed the bronze medal by prevailing 3-2 in the penalty shootout against Japan after the two teams tied.
It was both India and Pakistan's last international outing before the season-ending FIH men's World Cup to be held in Bhubaneswar from November 28 to December 16. India and Pakistan had won the title twice each before the current edition. India came into the tournament this year as defending champions having won the 2016 edition after their title triumph in the 2011 inaugural edition.
