Pakistan’s national hockey team has been hit by an unexpected setback, as head coach Tahir Zaman has refused to travel to Bangladesh ahead of the team’s pre-World Cup qualifying series.
Sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) that Zaman has “developed differences with the Pakistan Hockey Federation over certain issues” and therefore will not accompany the squad to Dhaka.
The three-match series against Bangladesh, part of the Asia Play-Offs for the 2026 Men’s Hockey World Cup Qualifiers, is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 16, 2025 at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium.
PHF Attempts to Downplay Rift
When contacted for confirmation, a Pakistan Hockey Federation official did not acknowledge any internal dispute and instead said that “Zaman is currently busy with his daughter’s wedding in Lahore.”
However, insiders maintain the issue goes beyond personal commitments and stems from disagreements regarding team management and preparations.
High Stakes in Dhaka
The winner of the Dhaka series will secure the final Asian spot in the World Cup qualifiers, set to be held from February 28 to March 8, 2026, at a venue yet to be decided. For Pakistan, the play-off represents a last opportunity to stay in contention.
Pakistan had earlier withdrawn from the Asia Cup in India, citing security concerns amid heightened regional tensions. The International Hockey Federation accepted the withdrawal as a force majeure, allowing Pakistan to contest this play-off against Bangladesh, who finished sixth in the tournament.
Pakistan’s Struggle to Reclaim Its Legacy
The situation unfolds at a time when Pakistan hockey is trying to reverse a prolonged decline. Once the dominant force in world hockey, with four World Cup titles, Pakistan has not qualified for the last three Olympic Games and missed both the 2014 and 2023 World Cups.
Their last World Cup appearance, in 2018, ended in a 12th-place finish. They also finished last in the 2010 World Cup in India. The withdrawal of the head coach just days before a decisive series raises renewed concerns about leadership, planning, and stability within the sport.
