The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced a 20-member squad for the upcoming FIH Nations Hockey Cup in Malaysia, with experienced midfielder Ammad Butt appointed as captain.
The tournament will take place from June 15 to 21 in Johor Bahru, with Pakistan placed in Pool B alongside hosts Malaysia, New Zealand, and Japan.
The team was finalized after selection trials held at the Naseer Banda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad. The selected squad includes a mix of seasoned campaigners and fresh talent, as Pakistan continues its efforts to rebuild its standing in international hockey.
| Moneeb-ur-Rehman | Abdullah Ishtiaq | Muhammad Abdullah |
|---|---|---|
| Sufyan Khan | Abdul Manan | Hammad Anjum |
| Arshad Liaqat | Moin Shakeel | Zakaria Hayat |
| Ghazanfar Ali | Salman Razzak | Junaid Manzoor |
| Hanan Shahid | Rana Waheed | Afraz Khan |
| Abdul Rehman | Ahmed Nadeem | Mohibullah |
| Rana Waleed |
According to PHF Secretary General Rana Mujahid, the national team will depart for Malaysia on June 8. Before the start of the tournament, Pakistan is scheduled to play three warm-up matches, providing the coaching staff an opportunity to fine-tune strategies and combinations. The team’s first game will be against Malaysia on June 15th before they face Japan on June 16th and conclude their group campaign with a third game against New Zealand on June 18.
Speaking to the media, head coach and Olympian Tahir Zaman expressed optimism about the team’s performance, stating that the Nations Cup presents a valuable platform. “We have talent and commitment in the squad. What we need is more international exposure and, most importantly, entry into the FIH Pro League,” Zaman said. “If we can secure that, it could be the beginning of a real turnaround for Pakistan hockey.”
The Nations Cup is crucial for teams like Pakistan, which are aiming to break into the top tier of international hockey, with the tournament winner earning promotion to the prestigious FIH Pro League. For Pakistan—a country with a proud but fading hockey legacy—this event is more than just a tournament. It’s a chance to take a significant step back toward the world stage.