India's talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri became the second-highest Asian goal-scorer in international football on Wednesday with a glittering hat-trick lacing India's 4-0 win over Pakistan in their SAFF Championship opener. Ali Daei of Iran holds the record with 109 goals from 149 matches. Chhetri has 90 goals to his name.

From the beginning of the match itself India brought forth their experience and class into play. Pakistan had pockets of doughty resistance, but they were not a match to India's cohesion and purpose on a rain-drenched night at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.