After Australia tour chaos, Pakistan hockey team aims for World Cup spot

The Pakistan men’s team left Islamabad for Egypt on Tuesday to compete in the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Ismailia from March 1-7. The qualifiers are a crucial phase for Pakistan hockey, coming just weeks after a deeply unsettling episode during the team’s Pro League assignment in Australia.

Pakistan’s Australia tour was overshadowed by administrative chaos that left players struggling off the field. Due to serious lapses by the Pakistan Hockey Federation, accommodation arrangements reportedly collapsed in multiple cities, including Sydney and Hobart. Players were forced to wait for hours with their luggage after hotels refused entry over unpaid bills, eventually being shifted to low-cost guest houses and short-term rentals. Instead of focusing on training and recovery, players had to manage daily chores themselves, adding to physical fatigue and mental stress.

After arriving back in Pakistan, captain Ammad Shakeel Butt and other players later spoke openly about the ordeal, stating that the off-field uncertainty severely affected their preparation and performances. The disclosures triggered widespread criticism at home, prompting Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to order a formal inquiry into the matter.

The fallout led to the resignation of PHF president Tariq Bugti. Prior to stepping down, Bugti had imposed a controversial two-year suspension on Ammad Shakeel Butt for violating PHF’s code of conduct, a decision that further inflamed tensions. That ban, however, was later withdrawn under the new setup.

In an effort to stabilize the federation, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, Secretary of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), was appointed ad-hoc president of the PHF. Since assuming charge, Wani has held consultations with players and officials and promised governance reforms aimed at restoring trust within the national setup.

On the technical side, former Olympian Khawaja Junaid has been handed responsibility as head coach for the qualifiers. The PHF has also announced the formation of a Professional Development Committee, to be co-chaired by Olympians Hassan Sardar and Islahuddin Siddiqui. The committee has been tasked with supervising team selection, refining training systems, and setting performance standards for players and coaches.

Yet, this revolving door of former Olympians returning to power reflects a deeper problem. Pakistan hockey continues to recycle the same names and ideas, mistaking past achievements for present-day expertise. One ex-Olympian exits, another replaces him, with little accountability and no meaningful shift in direction. Until this nostalgia-driven approach is abandoned and modern expertise is prioritized, the sport risks remaining trapped in decline.

On the field, Pakistan faces a demanding challenge in Ismailia. The eight teams have been split into two pools, with Pakistan placed in Pool B alongside Austria, China, and Malaysia. Pool A consists of Egypt, England, Japan, and the United States. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the semifinals, with three direct qualification spots on offer from the tournament.

Pakistan will open their campaign against China on March 1, face Malaysia on March 2, and conclude their pool matches against Austria on March 4.

Assistant coach Azfar Yaqoob said that the team will miss injured forward Abdul Hannan Shahid, who suffered a grade-two hamstring injury during a practice match in Australia.

“We will certainly feel the absence of Abdul Hannan Shahid in the Hockey World Cup Qualifiers, as he was a key player capable of changing the course of a match on his own,” Azfar said.

Despite the setback, he remained optimistic about the squad’s mindset, adding: “However, the team is in good shape, and the experience gained from competing against the world’s top sides in the FIH Pro League will be valuable in the upcoming matches. Team morale is high, and the players are eager to perform well on the field.”

Pakistan’s recent World Cup record highlights the depth of their decline on the global stage. The national team failed to qualify for the FIH Hockey World Cup, which was held in 2023, marking a major blow for a former powerhouse of the sport. Pakistan’s most recent appearance at hockey’s premier event came in 2018, when they finished 12th overall. Their absence from the 2023 edition further underlined the widening gap between Pakistan and the world’s leading teams, making qualification for the 2026 World Cup a defining moment for the future of Pakistan hockey.

The FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 will be held in Amsterdam and Wavre from August 15-30.