Pakistan Hockey Archives

Pakistan reach FIH Hockey World Cup qualifiers semi-final

ISMAILIA: Pakistan’s hockey team continued their strong form by defeating Malaysia 5-3 in their second game of the FIH World Cup Qualifiers 2026.

This was Green Shirts’ second win of the tournament, propelling them into the semi-final.

Goals from Rana Waheed Ashraf, Ahmed Nadeem, and Sufyan Khan played a decisive role in the team’s victory.

Malaysia made a solid start as Abdul Rauf pierced the net in the 11th minute of the game. However, Rana Waheed quickly responded and levelled the score line in the very next minute.

But the 12th-ranked Malaysia regained the lead in the last minute of the first quarter.

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Pakistan started the second quarter on a positive note with Hayat Zikriya levelling the scoreline once again. The first half of the game ended 2-2.

In the third quarter, Malaysia struck first in the 39th minute, only for Ahmed Nadeem to equalize for Pakistan in the 44th minute.

The Green Shirts finally pulled ahead in the last quarter, with Sufyan Khan scoring in the 48th minute and Muhammad Ammad sealing the win in the 59th minute.

For the unversed, Pakistan are slotted alongside China, Malaysia, and Austria in pool B of the Hockey World Cup qualifiers.

The top four teams from the overall tournament will earn qualification spots for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

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FIH World Cup Qualifier: Pakistan prevail over China in thrilling win

ISMAILIA: Pakistan’s men’s hockey team sealed a thrilling 5-4 win over China in their opening game of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

The Green Shirts bagged crucial three points with captain Ammad Butt leading from the front and earning the Player of the Match award.

It was Pakistan who struck first, with Sufyan Khan scoring the first goal in the seventh minute of the game. The first half belonged to Pakistan.

However, China made a comeback in the second quarter as Shihao DU got one through the nets to level the score.

Soon after, Pakistan doubled the score line with back-to-back goals in the 19th and 20th minutes of the game. Rana Waheed Ashraf and Muhammad Ammad were the goal scorers.

The second half ended with the scoreline of 3-1.

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Pakistan further consolidated their grip in the match as Abu Mahmood found the back of the net to give his side a 4-1 lead in the 34th minute of the match.

But China broke the deadlock with two goals, making a strong comeback as Shihao and Quyang Guan pulled their side back into contention.

However, the response was immediate. Just under a minute later, RanaWaleed restored the two-goal cushion with a decisive finish at 42:37, taking the score to 5-3.

China piled the pressure on Pakistan with an early fourth-quarter strike, but the Green Shirts held firm to clinch a thrilling victory despite conceding two late penalty corners.

For the unversed, Pakistan are slotted alongside China, Malaysia, and Austria in pool B of the Hockey World Cup qualifiers.

The top four teams from the overall tournament will earn qualification spots for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

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Mohsin Naqvi backs Pakistan hockey players amid crisis

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated on Thursday that he will continue supporting the national men’s hockey team players throughout the current turmoil.

Naqvi’s remarks came following his meeting with Pakistan hockey players amid the accommodation row they faced during the Pro League leg in Australia.

“We will accommodate hockey players in every possible way. We will extend complete cooperation to streamline hockey affairs,” Naqvi stated.

“You should focus only on the game. Pakistan’s honour comes first. We will not allow the country’s dignity to be compromised under any circumstances,” Naqvi told Hockey players.

He also clarified that he is not becoming the next president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

“I am not becoming Hockey Federation President, but we will assist players till this turmoil ends,” Naqvi wrote on X.

The PCB chairman clarified after Tariq Bugti sent his resignation to the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

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Earlier in the day, Tariq Bugti stepped down as President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), with captain Ammad Shakeel Butt handed a two-year ban by the federation.

Bugti submitted his resignation to Shehbaz Sharif and defended his performance in a farewell statement, highlighting improvements in Pakistan’s global standing.

The resignation comes amid fallout from viral videos during the FIH Pro League leg in Australia, which showed Pakistan players living in substandard accommodation due to logistical and financial complications.

Initial hotel bookings were reportedly cancelled over non-payment, forcing team management to arrange alternative lodging with the help of the local community, often with four to five players sharing a single room and bookings falling short of covering the full stay.

On the field, Pakistan endured a disappointing campaign, remaining winless in Australia with defeats against Australia (3-2, 3-0) and Germany (5-2, 6-1).

Looking ahead, Pakistan are scheduled to continue their FIH Pro League campaign with matches against Belgium on June 13 and 20, Spain on June 14, followed by high-profile clashes with arch-rivals India on June 23 and 26, and England on June 24 and 27.

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Pakistan Hockey President Tariq Bugti resigns; Ammad Butt banned

Tariq Bugti has stepped down as President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), while national men’s team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt has been handed a two-year ban by the federation.

Bugti submitted his resignation to Shehbaz Sharif and defended his performance in a farewell statement, pointing to an improvement in Pakistan’s global standing.

“Our world ranking was 18th, and now it stands at 13th. This is our accomplishment,” he said, adding that he had “tried utmost for two years” to push the national team forward.

He also thanked the government for allocating Rs250 million to support hockey during his tenure.

“The Prime Minister allocated 250 million rupees for hockey and released the funds. I am primarily grateful to the Prime Minister for allowing me to serve for two years,” he added.

However, Bugti acknowledged persistent administrative hurdles, particularly during the national team’s recent tour of Australia.

He claimed the tour was marred by issues involving the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), stressing that the federation lacked sufficient independent funds to manage operations smoothly.

Despite stepping aside, Bugti expressed optimism about the team’s future in the upcoming qualifiers and revealed that the schedule had already been submitted to the Sports Board by Rana Mujahid.

“The team will perform well in the upcoming qualifying round,” he predicted.

He also called for a high-level inquiry into recent incidents of what he termed “privilege indiscipline,” urging authorities to ensure accountability for any wrongdoing.

On the field, Pakistan endured a disappointing campaign, remaining winless in Australia with defeats against Australia (3-2, 3-0) and Germany (5-2, 6-1).

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Pakistan withdraw from Junior Hockey World Cup in India

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Thursday announced its withdrawal from the Junior Hockey World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in India next month.

PHF secretary Rana Mujahid confirmed that the federation has officially informed the International Hockey Federation (IHF) that Pakistan would not feature in the tournament due to tensions between the two nations.

“It is by no means appropriate to travel to India and play under the current situation,” he said.

He also lamented the handshake saga that occurred during the Asia Cup 2025 and condemned receiving the trophy.

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“The incident of not shaking hands with the Pakistan cricket team is regrettable,” he continued.

“Not receiving the trophy from President ACC and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is also condemnable. In such a situation, one cannot go to India,” he remarked.

This comes after the heightened tension between both countries since the terrorist attack on tourists in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Pahalgam area.

For the unversed, the Junior Hockey World Cup will run from November 28 to December 10 across Chennai and Madurai.

With 23 teams competing, the pool stage will run over five days, with December 3 set aside as a rest day. The crossover stage will take place afterward, leading up to the final match on December 10.

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FIH Pro League: Pakistan set to face India at neutral venue

Arch-rivals Pakistan and India are set to square off in the Pro League with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) unveiling the schedule of the marquee event on Monday.

According to the schedule, the nine-team tournament will consist of 144 matches, hosted in 10 countries, across three rounds.

“This season will see the arrival of Ireland women and Pakistan men, both making their debut in the competition, having been promoted via the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2024-25, adding further depth and excitement to the Pro League,” the federation said in a statement.

Pakistan will kick off their campaign in Argentina with the matches against the home side before taking on the defending champions, the Netherlands, from December 9 to December 14.

In the second round, Pakistan will head for Australia, where they will be playing against the home side and Germany between February 10 and 15.

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The third round will be played in Belgium from June 13 to 21, 2026, where they will face Spain and Belgium.

Finally, Pakistan will travel to England from June 23 to 28, where they will play the home side and arch-rivals India.

Two months earlier, the Pakistan hockey team received a formal invitation from the FIH to participate in the Hockey Pro League, scheduled to take place in December this year.

The invitation followed New Zealand’s decision not to participate in the FIH Hockey Pro League due to financial constraints.

Consequently, the FIH gave PHF a deadline to inform about its decision to accept or decline the invitation.

Eventually, Green Shirts’ spot in the marquee event came after the federal government approved a financial assistance package of Rs 250 million.

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FIH confirms Pakistan’s spot in Pro League

LAUSANNE: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Thursday confirmed the Pakistan hockey team’s spot in the Pro League 2025.

A month earlier, the Pakistan hockey team received a formal invitation from the FIH to participate in the Hockey Pro League, scheduled to take place in December this year.

The invitation followed New Zealand’s decision not to participate in the FIH Hockey Pro League due to financial constraints.

Consequently, the FIH gave PHF a deadline to inform about its decision to accept or decline the invitation.

However, after the federal government approved a financial assistance package of Rs 250 million, it was all but confirmed that the national team would participate in the marquee event.

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FIH President Tayyab Ikram expressed excitement about Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.

“Great to see Pakistan back in elite competition – this is a truly impactful milestone for world hockey. Their return marks not only the comeback of a team with such a rich and storied history, but also an exciting boost to the visibility and reach of the FIH Hockey Pro League,” he said.

“I can already anticipate an enhanced visibility of the Pro League with Pakistan’s participation. Congratulations to the Pakistan men’s team for qualifying through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup and earning their place in the ‘League of the Best’ for the very first time,” he added.

The FIH president discussed opportunities at the entry level and the pathway to reaching the top level.

This achievement is a strong example of how creating more opportunities at every level of our sport fosters growth and provides a natural pathway to the very top,” the apex body president concluded.

For context, the FIH Pro League began in 2019 and is contested annually by the top nine national hockey teams, as ranked.

Pakistan’s hockey team will join Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, the Netherlands, and Spain in the Hockey Pro League – the seventh edition of the competition.

The Green Shirts will replace Ireland, who were relegated at the end of the previous season, following their ninth-place finish in the league.

The team with the highest points at the end of the tournament is crowned Champion and awarded the Pro League Trophy.

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Govt allocates Rs250m for Pakistan hockey team’s FIH Pro League participation

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday sanctioned a financial assistance package of Rs250 million for the Pakistan hockey team’s participation in the upcoming FIH Pro League.

According to a letter released by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), an additional Rs 400 million has been allocated from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) to provide funds to the sports federation.

From the amount released, Rs 250 million will be provided to the PHF for the expenses of the national team’s participation in the marquee event,” the letter said.

“Rs 150 million has been allocated for the organization to host the first National Youth Games, which will be held in Islamabad,” it added.

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Furthermore, the PSB has instructed the PHF to outline a plan for the Pakistan hockey team’s participation in the Pro League within three days, which includes details of the travel schedule, administrative and logistical matters, and training program.

A month earlier, the Pakistan hockey team received a formal invitation from the FIH to participate in the Hockey Pro League, scheduled to take place in December this year.

The invitation followed New Zealand’s decision not to participate in the FIH Hockey Pro League due to financial constraints.

Consequently, the FIH gave PHF a deadline to inform about its decision to accept or decline the invitation.

For context, the FIH Pro League began in 2019 and is contested annually by the top nine national hockey teams, as ranked.

The team with the highest points at the end of the tournament is crowned Champion and awarded the Pro League Trophy.

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PHF seeks deadline extension for FIH Pro League participation

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has formally approached the International Hockey Federation (FIH), requesting an extension of the deadline for Pakistan’s participation in the Pro Hockey League.

The PHF Secretary, Rana Mujahid, has stated that there has been a positive response from several government ministries for Green Shirts’ participation in the marquee event.

“We have received positive signals from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, the Ministry of Finance, and the Pakistan Sports Board regarding support for Pakistan’s entry into the league.

“We are hopeful that the FIH will extend the deadline for Pakistan’s participation in the Pro League,” Mujahid added.

He also thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for their support of Pakistan hockey.

“I am grateful to the Interior Minister for supporting Pakistan Hockey. Mohsin Naqvi’s provision of medical and training facilities to the player is welcome,” he concluded.

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A month earlier, the Pakistan hockey team received a formal invitation from the FIH to participate in the Hockey Pro League, scheduled to take place in December this year.

The invitation followed New Zealand’s decision not to participate in the FIH Hockey Pro League due to financial constraints.

Consequently, the FIH gave PHF a deadline to inform about its decision to accept or decline the invitation.

For the unversed, the FIH Pro League began in 2019 and is contested annually by the top nine national hockey teams, as ranked.

The team with the highest points at the end of the tournament is crowned Champion and awarded the Pro League Trophy.

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Mohsin Naqvi assures full support for Pakistan hockey team’s Pro League participation

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday met national hockey team captain Ammad Butt and assured full support for the national side’s participation in the upcoming FIH Pro League.

During the meeting, Butt highlighted the key challenges surrounding the revival of hockey in the country and briefed Naqvi on the team’s preparations for the league. Discussions also touched upon player welfare and rehabilitation.

Mohsin Naqvi termed Pakistan’s qualification for the Pro Hockey League an honour and stressed that he would take a proactive role in facilitating the team’s participation.

He also announced a reward of PKR one million for each player and guaranteed swift resolution of any visa-related issues.

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Meanwhile, the PCB’s medical team has been tasked with handling players’ fitness and injury concerns, while its logistics team will provide complete operational support.

On the occasion, Ammad Butt also congratulated Mohsin Naqvi on receiving the prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz award.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Tariq Bugti had earlier disclosed that the federation had sought an extension from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to confirm the national team’s participation in the Pro League.

It is worth mentioning that last month, the FIH formally invited Pakistan to feature in the Pro League after New Zealand, despite winning the Nations Cup, pulled out of the competition.

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