Pakistan’s national hockey team is close to finalizing its preparations for the all-important series against Bangladesh, with the squad set to depart from Lahore for Dhaka on November 8, led by captain Ammad Butt.
Head coach Tahir Zaman confirmed that the training camp in Islamabad will conclude in the next couple of days, allowing players a short break at home before regrouping for the tour. He emphasized that Pakistan will not underestimate Bangladesh, particularly with the hosts playing in front of their home crowd.
“We have analyzed Bangladesh’s recent matches and are planning our strategy accordingly. We’ll go into the series fully prepared,” said Zaman.
The head coach noted that the camp focused on key technical areas, including fitness improvement, penalty corners, shootouts, defense, goalkeeping, counter-attacks, and goal-scoring techniques. According to him, the players are now in excellent shape and ready to deliver strong performances.
The upcoming three-match series represents Pakistan’s final opportunity to secure a berth in the FIH Hockey World Cup qualifiers scheduled for next year—a fact not lost on the coaching staff.
“Winning this series is our first step. Once that goal is achieved, our focus will shift towards the Pro League,” the team’s head coach added.
Upon arrival in Dhaka, the team will hold two training sessions before taking a rest day. The series will begin on November 13, with subsequent matches on November 14 and November 16.
With renewed confidence, tactical preparation, and a clear roadmap, the Pakistan hockey team will be aiming to make a strong statement in Dhaka—and take another step toward reclaiming its past glory on the world stage.