Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018: Group A, India vs Pakistan, Live Match Updates

Following this convincing win, India will look to test some of the bench strength against first-timers Kenya on Saturday while Pakistan will need to re-think their strategies before they take Kenya on Sunday.

That's all from the opening game between India and Pakistan, switch tabs to follow the exciting clash between Iran and Korea!

It's been an absolute pleasure bringing you all the updates from this riveting clash, this is Prasen Moudgal signing off! Ciao!

Ajay Thakur started off his campaign in fine fashion, picking up points in his first three raids as he went on to finish with 10 points from the game including two fine tackle points while Rohit Kumar came in late in the half to create more problems for the Pakistan team.

Credit where it is due, Pakistan did well to keep the likes of Rahul Chaudhari and Pardeep Narwal quiet but the spotlight fell on the all-round performance as the duo of Surjeet Singh and Surender Nada kept the Pakistan raiders at bay, dictating terms to lead India to an easy victory in the end.

India win 36-20!

The perfect way to start the tournament for the Indian team!

India strike to get another point on the buzzer raid! A dominating performance from the Men in Blue as they decimate Pakistan in the opening game!

Rohit Kumar in for the do or die raid! Picks another point with a fine running hand touch on the right corner.

India leads 34-20 with just less than a minute to go.

Rohit Kumar now having a quiet walk along the half-line.

Mudassar Ali picks a point on the Do or Die! Surjeet Singh tries to get across but Mudassar does well to pick a point.

Do or die raid for Rahul Chaudhari! Agonisingly misses out on the point as Pakistan collect yet another super tackle!

Back to back empty raids as the clock runs down.

Back live now.

Pakistan down to three men on the mat.

Time-out in place.

India lead 34-17 with five minutes to go in the match.

India strike back with a defence point! Yet again, Ajay Thakur comes in with a strong ankle hold and the raider had nowhere to go.

Do or die now for Rohit Kumar! Falls to the strong Pakistan defence!

First super tackle for Pakistan as they throw Rohit off the court.

Muhammad Nisar fails on the do or die raid! Ajay Thakur this time contributes with a strong ankle hold!

Do or die for skipper Thakur! Pressure, no problems!

Makes it look so easy, runs towards the left cover, lures a tackle and then twists into the Indian half.

Back live now. Pakistan will need to pull their socks up to get a grip back on this encounter.

Time-out in place.

India lead 31-15 with less than 10 minutes to play.

Do or die raid for Pakistan, smart work from the raider! Loses out on time, steps into the lobbies and Sandeep Narwal is on the move as he gets a touch on the raider. One point each.

First raid of the match for Deepak Niwas Hooda. Goes back with an empty raid.

Rahul Chaudhari succumbs on the do or die raid! Yet again, the Pakistan defense stands tall.

One for the left corner now! Nada goes in with the ankle hold and the rest of the defense cleans up.

And now Sandeep Narwal strikes! Comes in running from the right corner and stops the raider in his tracks.

Do or die raid for Ajay! He strikes!

Power on display from the skipper as he carries the defender past the half-line with immense body power.

India now down to three men. Ibrar Hussain is the raider. Nothing from that raid.

Substitution for India. Sandeep Narwal comes in for Rohit Kumar.

Review called in by Pakistan for a possible super raid here. Mudassar does well to escape from Nada, gets a touch on Mohit Chhillar but the question remains if he got a touch on Surjeet Singh. Yes, he does!

SUPER RAID for Mudassar, the first of this match as well!

Rahul Chaudhari has been pinned down! Nasir Ali brings his experience into play as he brings Rahul down with an ankle hold.

Desperate times, desperate measures. The left corner comes in the pull Rohit into their own court as he walks away without a point, a poor back hold and Rohit just slides in his own court to pick a point.

Surjeet's pro-active defending pays off! Comes in with a strong block to throw the raider off the court.

Second all-out inflicted immediately! Good effort from the defender with a reverse hold but Ajay gets away easily.

Live now for the second half! Ajay Thakur to start proceedings.

Second half coming up! Can we see Manjeet Chhillar, Monu Goyat making their way to the mat? Only time will tell!

With a massive 12-point deficit, Pakistan will need to re-strategise their plan and regain lost ground. The defence unit has looked good as expected with the bulk of points and the raiders will need to up their game to pose a challenge to the strong Indian defence.

India leads 22-9 at the end of the first half!

The Ajay Thakur-led side has managed to dominate their neighbours in the first half with the skipper himself leading from the front with fve raid points. Pardeep Narwal has been a pale shadow of his own but the strength in the team has camouflaged his inability to pick points.

Rahul Chaudhari has managed to find his feet in the final few minutes of the first half while the defence, led by Surjeet Singh has also been on the top of its game.

Ajay Thakur uses all his height to get away from the defender and pick another point to end the first half on a high!

Rohit gets yet another point as Pakistan are now down to one man.

Surjeet Singh yet again comes in with a strong back hold to bring down the raider, who almost got through the chain of defenders to picks a point but has to jog away to the benches.

Oh, no! Another error from the Pakistan men as Wasim Sajjad now steps out of the court to award another easy point.

Ibrar Hussain succumbs to the might of Surender Nada as the rest of the Indian defense envelopes around him!

Rohit Kumar continues his good run, gets a vital touch on Nasir Ali!

Mohit Chhillar is finally amidst the action as he puts in a strong thigh hold to bring down the raider!

First all-out inflicted on Pakistan! Surrender raid from the Pakistan raider as India now enjoys a comfortable 6-point lead.

India lead 10-8 with less than five minutes to go.

Rohit Kumar strikes on his first raid! Gets an easy touch point on the right corner. Pakistan now down to one man.

Schoolboy error from the Pakistan defender as he steps off the court to award an easy point to India!

Substitution for India! Rohit Kumar comes in.

Back live now!