Pakistan floor Canada to kick off Kabaddi World Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan were off to an impressive start when they downed Canada with a heavy margin in their opener of the Kabaddi World Cup (circle style) which started at the jam-packed Punjab Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.

Pakistan, led by Mohammad Irfan, showed great power in all fields, taming the Canadians 64-24 to take a superb start. The Green-shirts were beaten by Canada in the semi-final of the World Cup hosted by India in 2012.

At half time, Pakistan were leading 34-11. In the second half, the hosts’ raiders and defenders kept pressure on Canada who have some strong players in their side.

“Our team showed top game against Canada,” Pakistan Kabaddi Federation’s (PKF) secretary Mohammad Sarwar told ‘The News’.

“Canada also have some solid players in their side but they did not click. Our players showed class game and impressed in every area,” said Sarwar, also a former Pakistan captain. He said that the actual battle will be between Pakistan and India.

“You know the rest of the teams are not that good in circle style kabaddi. Even Iran is also not solid in this game and the actual fight will be between Pakistan and India,” said Sarwar, also secretary of Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF). Sarwar confirmed that Kenya did not turn up for the event. “Kenya did not come due to some issue,” he said.

The second game of the day between Iran and Sierra Leone was in progress at the same venue. Faisalabad and Gujrat would also host some matches of the competition which is expected to pull huge crowd. The event is being organised by PKF and Sports Board Punjab (SBP).

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar inaugurated the event which will last till February 16.

Pakistan is organising the event for the first time. This is the seventh World Cup being held, with India winning all the six previous hosted by them at their own backyard.