Our Web Desk
LAHORE: Pakistan national hockey team arrived in Belgium on Thursday to resume its high-stakes campaign in the FIH Hockey Pro League, facing a demanding eight-match schedule across Europe as it prepares for the upcoming World Cup.
The Green-shirts entered the prestigious top-tier tournament as a late replacement team following New Zealand’s withdrawal due to funding issues. However, Pakistan’s debut season has been a trial by fire. The team sits at the bottom of the standings after losing all eight of its opening matches in heavy defeats against Argentina, the Netherlands, Germany, and Australia.
Pakistan will launch the Belgian leg of its tour on June 13 at the Belfius Hockey Arena where it faces host nation Belgium, followed by a clash against Spain the next day. After a four-day break, the team will play return fixtures against both European sides on June 19 and June 20.
The tour will then shift to the United Kingdom, where the squad faces its most highly anticipated fixtures. Pakistan will play arch-rivals India on June 23 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London.
“The most important matches are against India,” a team source said, noting intense pressure from both the federation and the government. Pakistan has not defeated India at the senior international level since 2016.
Following the opener against India, Pakistan plays England on June 24, before staging return fixtures against India on June 26 and England on June 27.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Waqar, Ali Raza; Defenders: Abu Bakar, Arbaz Ahmad, Muhammad Abdullah, Sufyan Khan ;Midfielders: Nadeem Khan, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Moin Shakeel, Hammad Anjum, Zikriya HayatStrikers: Ghazanfer Ali, M. Ammad, Rana Waleed, Abdul Rehman, Arfraz Khan, Rana Waheed, Ahmad Nadeem, Arshad Liaqat, Hannan Shahid
