Look: Pakistan beat arch rivals India in kabaddi World Cup

In the final of the kabaddi World Cup, Pakistan fought back in the second half to secure a 43-41 win over the defending champions in the popular South Asian sport in front of thousands of spectators. "We are grateful to all the nations which made this event colourful," Rana Muhammad Sarwar, the secretary general of the Pakistan kabaddi federation, told AFP. "We should not let sports and culture become a victim of politics."

Apart from India, teams from Iran, England, Germany, Sierra Leone, Australia, Canada and Azerbaijan participated in the event.

Each team starts with seven players. During the 40-minute game, lone players will cross the centre line and attempt to tag opponents before racing back to their half and safety. The defending team will try to grab and stop the raider. Whoever succeeds in the wrestling match that ensues scores.

India cut bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan after attacks in Mumbai in 2008 that authorities blamed on Pakistani militants. India has since ordered a general freeze on sporting contacts, and last year a Davis Cup tennis tie between the two nations was shifted out of Pakistan to Kazakhstan.

Pakistan's players pose for pictures with their trophy after winning their final match in the Kabbadi World Cup 2020 against India in Lahore on February 16, 2020. Pakistan won the Kabbadi World Cup final match against India, scoring 43-41. / AFP / Arif ALI