India defeated defending champions Pakistan 3-2 in an exciting final of the Asian Champions Trophy here at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in the Malaysian city of Kuantan on Sunday.

The first quarter ended goalless. In the second quarter, Rupinder Pal Singh converted a penalty corner into a goal to give India a 1-0 lead.

Seven minutes later, Affan Yousuf scored another goal for India, taking the lead to 2-0.

Pakistan staged a come back and reduced the gap to one when when Aleem Bilal scored the first goal for Pakistan on a penalty corner in the 26th minute of the match.

The third quarter saw an intense battle between the arch-rivals. Pakistan put up a good show and managed to draw par when Ali Shan netted a superb goal in the 38th minute to even the scores.

However, India’s Nikkin Thimmaiah scored a field goal during the last quarter, helping his side to clinch the title from the defending champions.

In the third-place match, hosts Malaysia claimed their fourth successive bronze medal in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey event as they trounced South Korea 3-1 in the penalty shootout.