Category: Hockey

HOBART: The Pakistan Hockey team’s accommodation troubles deepened during their tour of Australia, with players facing mounting difficulties.

According to sources, the players have to endure poor conditions and face logistical challenges.

Videos have emerged showing players spending their final day in Hobart after being required to vacate their booked accommodations before their last match.

Sources said players were busy packing their belongings ahead of the 10:00 AM check-out.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) initially paid for seven days of lodging in Hobart, but the team was housed more than an hour and a half outside the city in facilities described as minimal.

Sources familiar with the matter said players faced these conditions due to logistical issues during the tour.

With help from the local community, the team management arranged alternative accommodations and meals.

Although initial hotel bookings were canceled for non-payment, rooms were later secured through an online platform, but with four to five players sharing each room, and the bookings did not cover the entire stay.

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The tour results added to the disappointment, as the national team remained winless in the Australian leg of the FIH Pro League.

Pakistan lost all four matches, with scores of 3-2 and 3-0 to Australia, and 5-2 and 6-1 to Germany.

Looking forward, Pakistan is scheduled to play their next FIH Pro League matches in Belgium on June 13 and Spain on June 14, with rematches against the same teams on June 20.

The team will then face arch-rivals India on June 23 and England on June 24, with second encounters against India and England on June 26 and 27.

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HOBART: Pakistan men’s hockey team endured another setback in their FIH Pro League 2025-26 campaign, falling 3-2 to Australia at the Tasmania Hockey Centre on Tuesday.

Australia took control early, with Tim Brand scoring in the first quarter to put the hosts ahead. Tim Brand doubled the lead in the second quarter, giving Australia a 2-0 advantage as they dominated the opening half of the match.

Pakistan mounted a spirited comeback in the final quarter, with Ahmad Nadeem and Sufyan Khan netting goals within five minutes to level the scores at 2-2, raising hopes of a draw.

However, Australia clinched the victory in dramatic fashion when Blake Govers converted a penalty stroke in the dying moments, sealing a 3-2 win.

The defeat leaves the Pakistan hockey team winless in the tournament so far.

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Pakistan will look to regroup as they face Germany on February 11, before taking on Australia again on February 13 and Germany once more on February 14.

For the unversed, before arriving in Australia, the side had suffered four consecutive losses during the Argentina leg, including defeats against hosts Argentina and the Netherlands.

Their campaign began with a 5-2 loss to the defending champions, the Netherlands, followed by a narrow 3-2 defeat to Argentina and a 7-3 loss in a high-scoring rematch against the Dutch.

In their final game of the first leg, Pakistan suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of Argentina.

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SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO: Pakistan men’s hockey team continued their difficult debut campaign in the FIH Pro League as they suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of Argentina at the Santiago del Estero Hockey Club on Tuesday.

Argentina dominated proceedings from the outset, combining clinical penalty-corner execution with sharp aerial play to register a commanding victory and move to the top of the Pro League standings with 11 points.

Pakistan, meanwhile, slumped to their fourth consecutive loss and remain rooted at the bottom of the table.

Los Leones opened the scoring through Nicolas Della Torre, whose powerful drag flick from a penalty corner took a deflection off Pakistan defender Muhammad Abdullah and wrong-footed goalkeeper Muneeb Ur-Rehman.

Argentina maintained control through midfield and repeatedly exploited space behind Pakistan’s defence with long aerial balls.

One such aerial found Joaquin Toscani, who controlled well before delivering a bouncing ball into the circle for Bautista Capurro to deflect home, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Argentina struck again through Capurro in the second quarter after Maico Casella kept the pressure alive following a failed Pakistani clearance.

Casella found space and slid a pinpoint pass across the goal, allowing Capurro to tap in his second and make it 3-0.

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Pakistan showed some resistance early in the third quarter when Waheed Ashraf Rana produced a fine individual effort, driving into the circle and smashing a high shot into the net to briefly cut the deficit.

Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as Argentina responded almost immediately.

Tadeo Marcucci released Tomas Domene with a precise pass, and although Domene’s initial backhand effort was saved, Tobias Martins reacted quickest to slot home the rebound.

Domene then capped an impressive outing by earning and converting a penalty corner with a low drag flick to make it 5-1.

The final quarter remained scoreless, with Argentina comfortably seeing out the contest to claim a convincing three points. Domene was later named Player of the Match for the second consecutive game.

The defeat leaves Pakistan in ninth place, having conceded 20 goals while scoring only eight, resulting in a worrying goal difference of minus 12.

Their campaign began with a 5-2 loss to the defending champions, the Netherlands, followed by a narrow 3-2 defeat to Argentina and a 7-3 loss in a high-scoring rematch against the Dutch.

Pakistan will now turn their attention to the Australia leg of the Pro League in Hobart in February, where they face a stern challenge against the hosts on February 10 and 13, followed by clashes with Germany on February 11 and 14.

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Pakistan produced a spirited performance but still came away empty-handed, slipping to a narrow 3–2 defeat against Argentina in their FIH Pro League fixture at the Santiago del Estero Hockey Club.

In a five-goal contest that swung with momentum throughout, the hosts backed up their shoot-out win over the Netherlands a day earlier by claiming full points against a resurgent Pakistan side.

Pakistan began with impressive intent, pressing aggressively and creating clearer early openings.

Waheed Ashraf Rana forced Tomas Santiago into a sharp save from close range, before narrowly missing the far post on his second attempt.

Argentina, meanwhile, struggled to make their penalty corners count, with Tomas Domene’s backhand only catching the side netting.

The breakthrough eventually came for the hosts in the second quarter.

Thomas Habif’s incisive baseline run opened the play for Ignacio Nardolillo, who squared for Domene to finish from point-blank range, the only goal separating the sides at halftime.

The match came alive after the break, as Pakistan drew level through Muhammad Ammad, who cleverly redirected a Zikriya Hayat pass to make it 1–1.

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But Argentina responded instantly, showcasing their penalty-corner class.

Nicolas della Torre struck low to restore the lead, before Maico Casella added a second in quick succession with a powerful flick into the top of the net following a series of re-awards.

Pakistan replied with pressure of their own, earning three consecutive re-awards before Waleed Rana pounced on a rebound to trim the deficit to 3–2 just before the third-quarter whistle.

Both Pakistan and Argentina created half-chances in the final period, but the home team’s defensive discipline and earlier set-piece precision ensured the scoreline stayed intact.

Thomas Habif’s influential display earned him the Player of the Match award.

The result follows Pakistan’s 5–2 loss to defending champions Netherlands on their Pro League debut at the same venue.

The Green Shirts will meet the Dutch again on December 13, before concluding their opening Pro League stint against Argentina on December 15.

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Defending champions Netherlands opened their FIH Pro League campaign with a commanding 5–2 victory over debutants Pakistan at the Santiago del Estero Hockey Club in Argentina.

Pakistan stunned the Dutch early, taking the lead through a moment of brilliance from Hannan Shahid.

The young forward carved his way in from the left flank, slicing through the Dutch defence before smashing his shot past Mauritz Visser to announce Pakistan’s arrival in the competition.

But the Netherlands, seasoned campaigners and among the favourites once again, settled quickly.

A sharp tackle from Thierry Brinkman triggered their first major surge down the right, with Koen Bijen finding space upfront to level the score before the end of the first quarter.

Just moments before the break, Timo Boers made it 2–1 with a tidy penalty-corner strike, the first sign of what would become the decisive difference between the sides.

Pakistan hockey team refused to fade, and early in the second quarter, Sufyan Khan dragged his team back into the contest with a penalty-corner conversion to make it 2–2 at half-time.

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The match, though, ultimately shifted in the third quarter as the Dutch showcased their set-piece precision.

Tijmen Reyenga restored their lead with another penalty-corner finish, and Boers added his second of the match shortly after, again from a dead-ball situation.

Duco Telgenkamp then produced a sharp finish from the baseline to stretch the advantage to 5–2, completing a dominant period for the defending champions.

Reyenga’s impact on both ends of the field earned him the Player of the Match award, as the Netherlands closed out the final quarter with composure and control.

Pakistan, despite the defeat, showed glimpses of their potential and will now turn their attention to the remaining fixtures of the mini-tournament.

They face hosts Argentina on December 12, meet the Netherlands again on December 13, and wrap up their first Pro League outing against Argentina on December 15.

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Imran Sherwani, the former Great Britain and England hockey star best remembered for his decisive role in the iconic 1988 Olympic final, has passed away at the age of 63, his family confirmed.

Sherwani was a central figure in Great Britain’s stunning gold-medal triumph at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

This victory ended the nation’s 68-year wait for an Olympic title in men’s hockey and remains the last time the team has reached the podium at the Games.

Sherwani represented both England and Great Britain with distinction during his international career, earning a combined 94 caps.

He featured 49 times for England and a further 45 times for Great Britain, cementing his reputation as one of the most dependable defenders of his generation.

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Alongside Olympic glory, he also won a silver medal with England at the 1986 World Cup and followed it up with another silver at the European Championship in 1987.

Away from the field, Imran Sherwani showed remarkable courage in later life after being diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s in December 2019, a condition he publicly disclosed two years later in a bid to raise awareness.

His family, in a heartfelt statement, said that while the sporting world knew him for his achievements, they would always remember him as a devoted family man whose warmth, humour and kindness left a lasting impression on all those around him.

Tributes poured in from across the hockey community following the news of his passing.

EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann described Sherwani as one of the very finest players of his era, adding that his performance in the Seoul final would forever remain one of the sport’s most iconic moments.

England Hockey CEO Rich Beer also paid a glowing tribute, calling Sherwani a true icon whose influence extended far beyond the pitch.

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The Pakistan hockey team received a warm welcome at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport on Tuesday after returning from Dhaka, where they swept Bangladesh 3-0 in the pre-World Cup qualifier series.

Families, friends and supporters gathered in large numbers to celebrate the team’s emphatic run, which secured a place in the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026.

Pakistan wrapped up the series in style with a resounding 10-3 victory in the final match at the Maulana Bhashani Stadium on Sunday.

Having already sealed qualification with commanding 8-2 and 8-0 wins in the opening fixtures, the Green Shirts maintained their dominance throughout the tour.

In the final clash, Pakistan struck five goals in the first half and continued their relentless scoring in the second, leaving the hosts far behind.

The series also brought individual accolades for the visitors. Sufyan Khan finished as the Top Scorer, while Ammad Butt was named the Best Player of the Tournament.

The Dhaka series was arranged by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) after Pakistan were forced to miss the Asia Cup in India earlier this year due to political tensions.

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The successful outing now serves as crucial preparation for what lies ahead: the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026, scheduled in Belgium from February 28 to March 8.

The team will now shift focus to their next major assignment, Pakistan’s debut appearance in the FIH Pro League.

The national camp for the league will begin in Islamabad in the coming days, followed by two practice matches in Spain on November 29 and 30.

The seventh edition of the Pro League, starting in early December in Argentina, will feature nine teams: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain and Pakistan.

The Green Shirts open their campaign in Rosario, taking on the Netherlands on December 10 and hosts Argentina on December 12.

Pakistan hockey team will play 16 matches across four international legs, including tough outings against Germany and Australia in Hobart, and marquee European fixtures in Belgium and Spain.

A highlight for fans will undoubtedly be the highly anticipated clashes against arch-rivals India in London on June 23 and 26 next year.

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DHAKA: Dominant Pakistan thrashed Bangladesh 10-3 in the final game of the three-match qualifier series here at the Maulana Bhashani Stadium on Sunday.

Pakistan had already secured a spot in the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers in Belgium after registering two dominant wins in their play-off series against Bangladesh.

The Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026 will take place from February 28 to March 8, 2026.

The Green Shirts remained dominant throughout the series, sweeping the hosts with comprehensive wins in all three matches.

In the final game, Pakistan put in a commendable performance, netting five goals in the first half, whereas Bangladesh managed to score only one.

The dominance continued till the end as the visitors doubled the goals and eventually outplayed them to seal an emphatic win.

Sufyan Khan was named the Top Scorer of the Tournament, while Ammad Butt was given the Best Player of the Tournament award due to his attacking game during the three-match series.

Earlier, Pakistan secured victories in the opening two games of the series with margins of 8-2 and 8-0 respectively.

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It is noteworthy to mention that the series was initiated by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) after Pakistan was unable to travel to India for the Asia Cup in August and September due to strained political relations between the two neighboring countries.

Pakistan hockey team’s next assignment will be its maiden appearance in the FIH Pro League. The tournament is scheduled to kick off next month in Argentina.

The seventh edition of the competition will feature nine teams: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, and Pakistan, with Ireland relegated after finishing last in the previous season.

The highlight of the season will undoubtedly be the clash between Pakistan and arch-rivals India, set to take place in London on June 23 and 26, 2026.

Pakistan will begin their campaign in Rosario, Argentina, where they face the Netherlands on December 10, followed by hosts Argentina on December 12. The Green Shirts will play 16 matches in total across four international legs.

Their second assignment takes them to Hobart, Australia, in February, where they go head-to-head with the hosts and Germany.

In June, Pakistan will feature in the European leg of the tournament with fixtures against Belgium and Spain in Wavre, before moving to London for the final round against England and India.

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DHAKA: Pakistan outplayed Bangladesh 8-2 in the opening game of the three-match series here at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

The series serves as a platform for a spot in the FIH 2026 Hockey World Cup Qualifiers.

The Green Shirts started strong as captain Ammad Butt pierced one through the nets in the fourth minute of the game, courtesy of a penalty corner.

However, the hosts made a comeback at the stroke of the first quarter, with Hozifa Hossain scoring the equalizer.

Pakistan showcased its dominance and replied with another goal in four minutes to take the lead. This time, it was Nadeem Ahmed who struck through the nets.

The visitors continued to dominate and ended the second quarter with a 4-1 lead.

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Pakistan effectively controlled possession, enabling them to add four more goals to their tally. Ghazanfar Ali, Waheed Ashraf Rana, and Hannan Shahid each contributed one goal, while Nadeem scored his second.

Bangladesh found the back of the net in the 58th minute with a goal from Amirul Islam. However, they were unable to close the gap, and Pakistan secured a comfortable victory in the match.

It is noteworthy to mention that the series was initiated by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) after Pakistan was unable to travel to India for the Asia Cup in August and September due to strained political relations between the two neighboring countries.

The second fixture of the series will be played tomorrow, whereas the final match is scheduled for Sunday.

Squad:

Ammad Shakeel Butt (captain), Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Sufyan, Mohammad Abdullah, Hammad-ud-Din, Abdul Manan, Moeen Shakeel, Zakraya Hayat, Arshad Liaqat, Ghazanfar Ali, Rana Abdul Waheed, Afraz, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Abdul Rahman, Rana Mohammad Walid, Ahmad Nadeem, and Junaid Manzoor.

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The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Wednesday confirmed that Oman would replace Pakistan in the forthcoming Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, set to be held in India from November 28.

The decision came after Pakistan’s withdrawal from the mega event due to security concerns.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Rana Mujahid announced that the decision had been formally communicated.

“Under the prevailing circumstances, it is by no means appropriate to travel to India and play,” Mujahid said.

“Pakistan had proposed staging their matches at a neutral venue instead — a suggestion the FIH did not accept,” he added.

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Following this, FIH confirmed Oman’s participation in the tournament in a press release.

Oman was included based on its ranking in the Junior Asia Cup 2024, which served as a qualifier for the Junior World Cup.

“For the very first time, the FIH Hockey Junior World Cups 2025, women and men, will involve 24 teams each, enabling greater accessibility to FIH events, which is one of the fundamental principles of the FIH Empowerment and Engagement strategy,” the press release said.

The pool stage matches of the World Cup will run from November 28 to December 2, followed by knockout matches, which will take place from December 4 to December 10.

Teams and Pools

Pool A: Canada, Germany, Ireland, South Africa

Pool B: Chile, India, Oman, Switzerland

Pool C: Argentina, China, Japan, New Zealand

Pool D: Belgium, Egypt, Spain, Namibia

Pool E: Austria, England, Malaysia, Netherlands

Pool F: Australia, Bangladesh, France, Korea

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