DOHA, Dec 21: Pakistan opened their campaign in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament as they thrashed Oman 8-3 here on Thursday.

Experienced player Shakeel Abbasi scored three goals and Waqas Shareef two while Abdul Haseem, Mohammad Rizwan (senior) and Mohammad Imran struck one goal each.

In the last edition of the event held in China, India beat Pakistan in the final. However, this time around Pakistan, on their current form after winning bronze medal at the recently-concluded Champions Trophy in Melbourne, are being considered as hot favourites.

On Friday, former eight-time Olympic champions India registered their second successive victory in the event as they downed Japan 3-1. V.R. Raghunath scored two goals for the victors.

Earlier in their opening match on Thursday, India had outclassed China 4-0.

Six teams are taking part in the continental tournament — Pakistan, India, Oman, China, Malaysia and Japan.—Agencies