ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) announced a 20-member national squad on Monday, appointing Imad Butt as captain for the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur. The tournament, crucial for promotion to the elite FIH Hockey Pro League, runs from June 15 to June 21.
Imad will lead the Green Shirts in the eight-nation competition, which also features hosts Malaysia, France, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and Wales. Rana Waheed was named vice-captain for the campaign.
The squad includes goalkeepers Muneer-ur-Rehman and Abdullah Ishtiaq, alongside field players Mohammad Abdullah, Mohammad Sufyan Khan, Abdul Manan, Hamad Anjum, Arshad Liaquat, Moeen Shakeel, Zakrya Hayat, Ghazanfar Ali, Salman Razaq, Junaid Manzoor, Afraz Khan, Abdul Rehman and Ahmed Nadeem. Players Mohibullah and Rana Waleed will travel as reserves.
The announcement was made at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium by national team head coach Tahir Zaman. He selected the squad based on player performances during training camps. PHF President Tariq Bugti, PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid, and Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board Yasir Pirzada were present at the ceremony.
Mujahid expressed confidence in the team’s composition.
“The selected team is a balanced one and we are hopeful that this team would produce desired results,” Mujahid told Dawn. He added, “The players attended training camp with focus and experienced head coach selected a balanced team.”
Mujahid emphasised the high stakes, noting that victory in the Nations Cup would secure Pakistan direct qualification for the 2025-26 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League.
The FIH confirmed the tournament’s significance on its website, stating: “The Nations Cup serves as a critical pathway for teams aspiring to ascend to the FIH Hockey Pro League. The ultimate winner will earn the opportunity to be promoted to the 2025–26 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League.”
Teams are divided into two pools for the preliminary round. Pool A consists of France, Korea, South Africa and Wales. Pool B comprises Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and Pakistan.
According to a FIH statment, all eight teams will play on the opening day. The schedule features France against Korea and South Africa versus Wales in Pool A. Pool B matches will see New Zealand take on Japan, followed by hosts Malaysia facing Pakistan.
The tournament progresses to classification matches and the medal rounds, with semi-finals on June 20 and the final and bronze medal match on June 21.
Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2025
