New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) Veteran Pakistani hockey player Sohail Abbas said his team was surprised to learn that India's centre forward Shivendra Singh was suspended for two matches for what the International Hockey federation (FIH) called hitting Fareed Ahmed 'deliberately' during the match between the two subcontinental sides.

During India's 4-1 win over Pakistan Sunday, Shivendra's stick found Fareed Ahmed who suffered a cut above his eye.

Tournament director Ken Read slapped a three-match ban on Shivendra and said that it was 'deliberate and a reckless action.' But a three-member appeals committee that met here Tuesday reduced the ban to two matches and termed the incident as 'reckless.'

'We were shocked when we heard about Shivendra's suspension. Any player playing the World Cup won't like to miss a game against Australia or Spain. But rules are rules. FIH have taken the rules to ensure that the game is played safely,' said a diplomatic Abbas after his side's 2-1 victory over Spain Tuesday.

--Indo-Asian news Service

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