India, Pakistan gear up for 'final before final'

NEW DELHI: Skipper Zeeshan Ashraf hopes to celebrate his 32nd birthday Sunday by leading Pakistan to victory over arch-rivals India in the hockey World Cup.

The old foes, once the masters of the game, will clash on the opening day in a marquee match that organisers claim had been sold out at the 19,000-seater Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

"It is one of the most important matches of my life," said Zeeshan. "Hope I can gift myself a win because no team can afford to lose the first match of a tournament."

In Image: Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi, center, poses with Indian hockey team captain Rajpal Singh, left, and Pakistan hockey team captain Zeeshan Ashraf, in front of India Gate monument in New Delhi, India, Friday, Feb. 26, 2010. The men's field hockey World Cup runs from Feb. 28 to march 13 in New Delhi.


Text: Agencies

Images: AP

Full Coverage: World Cup Hockey