Hockey World Cup: India, Pakistan in same pool

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan have been clubbed in the same pool in the 2010 hockey World Cup, which begins in Delhi on February 28.

Apart from 1975 champions India and four-time winners Pakistan, Pool B also has Australia, Spain, England and South Africa.

Defending champions Germany is the top seed in Pool A, which also has the Netherlands, Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina.

India won the World Cup in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, while Pakistan won the inaugural edition in Spain (1971) before winning back-to-back crowns in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1978) and Mumbai (1982).

The last time they won was in Sydney in 1994.

Following the preliminary phase, the two best-ranked teams of each pool proceed to the semi-finals.

The match schedule for the tournament will be announced later this month.

The Pools:

Pool A: Germany, the Netherlands, Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina.

Pool B: Australia, Spain, England, Pakistan, India and South Africa.