Sohail, breaking the 22-year-old record of Paul Litjens, also helped Pakistan win the seven-Test ninth Indo-Pak series 2-1 and 4-1 unbeatable lead in the Friendship Series.
Pakistan won the series 4-2, losing the last Test at Hyderabad Deccan 0-2, a consolation for India in the first series between the arch-rivals in five years. This was India's second win of the 2004 series after the victory at Quetta.
However, Sohail struck seven of Pakistan's 16 goals to finish as the leading marksman.
Having 268 goals in 218 internationals, Sohail was given the "Best Achiever Award", carrying a purse of 1,000 dollars, while Indian custodian Adrian D'Souza, who foiled many attempts of Sohail by rushing out on top of the circle, was adjudged The "Best Player" with a cash prize of 2,000 dollars.
Despite the poor showing by both the countries at the Athens Olympics, the series, from Sept. 24 to Oct. 10, attracted a large number of spectators.
Both Pakistan and India have a glorious past with 11 Olympics and five World Cups between them, but now they are struggling to regain their past glories.
The series started with Pakistan leg as Indian hockey team, under German coach Gerard Rach, reached Pakistan amidst rousing welcome at every centre. They opened the proceedings with 1-2 defeat at Karachi. Arjun Halappa was India's leading scorer with five goals.
India bounced back with an emphatic 4-1 win at Quetta.
Pakistan landed in India with 2-1 advantage following 3-2 win at Peshawar.
The series saw two drawn games at Lahore (4-4) and Chandigarh (1-1).
Pakistan started the Indian leg of the series by winning New Delhi Test 3-1 and wrapped up the series at Amritsar where the 500th goal between the two countries was also registered with Sohail Abbas running away with the honour of scoring this goal.
Karachi-born Sohail also broke the long standing record of 267 goals set by Dutchman Paul Litjens, during the 7th test match in Amritsar against India on October 8, this year.
A grand and warm welcome was accorded to double Olympian Sohail Abbas, the Captain of SSGC's hockey team by the employees on hes arrival at company's head office.
He was received at the main podium by Zubair Ahmed, Secretary Sports Board, Eng. A. Majid Malik, General Secretary of Officers Association and several other employees.
Speaking on the occasion, the Managing Director announced a gold medal for Sohail Abbas and also confirmed his employment in the company with immediate effect.
Munawar applauded the accomplishments of Sohail Abbas in international hockey and announce a special award to honour Sohail at the annual awards distribution ceremony in January 2005. The MD also said that it was a great honour for the country and his company that Sohail achieved such a landmark in hockey.
He said that besides playing for SSGC, the expertise of Sohail Abbas as coach will also be utilised to train budding players in the SSGC. Munawar said as per the Federal Government's sports policy, national and provincial players are being encouraged and facilitated by SSGC.
Speaking on the occasion, Sohail Abbas said he was overwhelmed with the reception by the management and his colleagues and promised to bring laurels for Pakistan and SSGC in the hockey arena.
He said that the employment in SSGC has given him peace of mind and that will enable him to perform much better in future.
Later, the Managing Director presented Sohail his letter for confirmation in the company as 'Assistant Manager' in company's sports department.
The first series between the two nations in the 21st century saw both sides scoring 16 goals each in eight outings.
So far Pakistan and India have played six series, starting from 1978 to 1988 -- two of them in the Gulf. After a lay-off due to tension on the borders, two more series were played in 1998 and 1999 before the political tension, put the rivalry out of picture.
The series was played in two legs of four matches each in Pakistan and
India. Pakistan have won six series, India two, while the 1988 series ended in a draw. Pakistan were victorious in 1978, 1981, 1982, 1998 ,1999 and 2004, while India clinched the 1984 and 1986 editions.
Pargat Singh, the only player to lead India in the Olympics Games twice, has paid rich tributes to Sohail Abbas, saying that he was "the only difference between India and Pakistan."
Last year, it were India who had the upper hand by winning five of the eight outings. Sohail, leading the charge for Pakistan in 2004 managed to beat India 10 times in their 14 meetings so far with just two losses.
The track record between the two nations stands as Pakistan with 62 wins in 121 matches, India winning 38.
The goal counts in favour of Pakistan are 286-218.