Visa Hurdles
The Pakistan men's hockey squad is confronting a double setback as it prepares for the final leg of the FIH Pro League in England. Captain Ammad Shakeel Butt has had his visa application denied, a decision that officials trace back to an earlier overstay while he was playing club hockey on the British circuit. The rejection adds to a growing list of setbacks for a team that has yet to register a win in the current season.
Head coach Manzur-ul-Hasan is also caught in bureaucratic limbo, with his own visa status still unresolved. If he fails to secure clearance in time, the federation has indicated that veteran coach Tahir Zaman could step in to lead the side for the England fixtures.
In the captain’s absence, senior player Abu Bakr is slated to take charge of the lineup. The move comes as the team continues to struggle, having lost all eleven matches in the Pro League and faced mounting criticism for its on‑field performances.
The visa complications have sparked debate over the decision to enlist a 74‑year‑old coach and a support staff drawn entirely from local sources for the Pro League campaign. Adding to the pressure, the Hockey World Cup is scheduled for August, raising questions about whether the current turmoil will affect Pakistan’s preparations for the global tournament.