The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has officially locked in a 20-member national squad for the upcoming third round of the FIH Pro League. The national team is all set to fly out to Europe for a demanding schedule of matches against hockey powerhouses Belgium and England, running from June 13 to June 27, 2026.
The final lineup was confirmed by the chief of the national selection committee, Olympian Samiullah Khan, following two days of intense trials at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore. The selection received a thorough review from the PHF Professional Development Committee, which includes legends Islahuddin Siddiqui and Hassan Sardar, before getting the final nod from the PHF president.
In a move that has surprised many local hockey fans, goalkeeper Muneeb-ur-Rehman has been dropped from the touring squad. Muneeb was widely praised as the hero of Pakistan’s recent shootout victory in the Nations Cup semi-finals, but the selectors have decided to trust Waqar Ali and Ali Raza to guard the goalposts this time around. Quite interestingly, the federation has not yet named a team captain for this crucial tour.
The selected squad includes goalkeepers Waqar Ali and Ali Raza. The defensive wall will be managed by Abu Bakar, Arbaz Ahmad, Mohammad Abdullah, and Sufyan Khan. The midfield features Nadeem Khan, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Moin Shakeel, Hammad Anjum, and Zakriya Hayat. Meanwhile, the frontline consists of forwards Ghazanfar Ali, Mohammad Emmad, Rana Waleed, Afraz Khan, Rana Wahid, Abdul Rahman, Ahmad Nadeem, Arshad Liaquat, and Hanan Shahid.
This European leg is incredibly vital for the Green-shirts, who are desperate for a turnaround. Pakistan had a very tough run in the first two rounds of the Pro League, losing all eight of their matches during the earlier tours of Argentina and Australia. In this third round, Pakistan will play a total of eight high-stakes matches, facing Belgium and Spain twice each on Belgian soil, before moving to London to play two matches each against England and traditional rivals India.
More than just Pro League points, these matches are the ultimate testing ground for the team ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands in August 2026. Pakistan, a historic four-time world champion, booked their spot in the mega-event after a long eight-year absence by making it to the finals of the qualifying tournament in Egypt this past March.
To make sure the players can focus entirely on their game without any off-field worries, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stepped in to direct full financial and administrative backing for the team. According to the Pakistan Sports Board, all travel and accommodation arrangements have been smoothly sorted out. The players will receive a daily allowance of 110 dollars, and Pakistani embassies in both the UK and Belgium have been instructed to look after the contingent like family. The PHF has stated that a list of reserve players will be announced in the next few days.
Report : Ubaid Ur Rehman
