Pakistan and India have been drawn in the same pool at the Hockey World League semi-final ©Getty Images

India and Pakistan will renew their fierce rivalry at the men's Hockey World League semi-final event in London next year after the two nations were drawn together in Pool B for the tournament at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

The sides will clash on the fourth day of the competition, due to run from June 15 to 25 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, in what is being dubbed as "Super Sunday" as hosts England will be taking on reigning Olympic gold medallists Argentina in Pool A.

The two Asian nations will also go up against The Netherlands and two qualifiers from the Hockey World League Round Two events, taking place between January and April, in their group.

Matches between the countries have often been feisty affairs, particularly at the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar, India, where Pakistan upset their opponents with overly-wild celebrations after earning victory over the hosts.

Tensions have since escalated off the field after the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) blamed their Indian counterparts for being thrown out of the upcoming men’s Junior Hockey World Cup in Lucknow.

The event is due to be held at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London ©Getty Images
The event is due to be held at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London ©Getty Images

According to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the decision to officially withdraw Pakistan’s invitation followed considerable discussions with the PHF and requests for confirmation that they had the necessary arrangements in place to be able to participate in the event.

However, the PHF has branded the world governing body’s move as "pre-planned" with secretary Shehbaz Ahmed holding India responsible for the debacle.  

The two sides faced off at the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan in Malaysia in October as India emerged with a narrow 3-2 victory and no issues were reported.

South Korea are the other team in Pool A, joining England, Argentina and two qualifiers.

The 2017 Hockey World League semi-final, an event which is being axed as part of the FIH's new competition calendar, is due to get underway on Thursday, June 15 with the opening match between South Korea and Argentina.

India will then play one of the qualifiers, before The Netherlands entertain Pakistan and England end the first day with a contest against one of the sides to have progressed from the Round two events.

A total of 33 matches are scheduled as teams battle it out for World Cup qualification as well as places in the Hockey World League final.