Both teams are the clear favourites to progress from Group A of the competition and they looked to justify those claims when the round robin stage began.

Pakistan were able to brush aside the challenge of host nation Bangladesh at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium, as they eased to a 7-0 victory.

Abu Mahmood proved the star of the Pakistan team, scoring a hat-trick to give his team a comfortable start to the event.

Ammad Butt and Arslan Qadir both scored twice to complete the victory.

Japan threatened to give India a challenging opening match when Kenji Kitizato equalised four minutes into their match, after Somwarpet Sunil had given his team the lead only a minute early.

India were pegged back quickly but remained in control of the tie and pulled away to clinch a straightforward win.

Lalit Upadhyay and Ramandeep Singh both found the net, before two strikes from Harmanpreet Singh rounded off a 5-1 success for India.

The result leaves India and Pakistan at the top of the standings, with two teams set to progress to the second round.

Malaysia are set to face China in the opening Group B match tomorrow, before South Korea meet Oman.

Australia began the Oceania Cup with a convincing win in their men’s tournament against Papua New Guinea.

They secured a 30-0 success in the first men’s match of the competition in front of their home fans at the Sydney Olympic Park.

Papua New Guinea also suffered a heavy 33-0 loss to New Zealand in the women’s tournament.

Three teams - hosts Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea - have entered the men's and women's tournaments.

Action is due to continue tomorrow when Australia meet New Zealand in the men’s event and the hosts will take on Papua New Guinea in the women’s competition.

The top two teams at the end of the group stage will advance to the final on Sunday (October 15).

The winner of the competition will seal a spot at the 2018 Hockey World Cup.