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The Pakistan hockey team received a warm welcome at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport on Tuesday after returning from Dhaka, where they swept Bangladesh 3-0 in the pre-World Cup qualifier series.
Families, friends and supporters gathered in large numbers to celebrate the team’s emphatic run, which secured a place in the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026.
Pakistan wrapped up the series in style with a resounding 10-3 victory in the final match at the Maulana Bhashani Stadium on Sunday.
Having already sealed qualification with commanding 8-2 and 8-0 wins in the opening fixtures, the Green Shirts maintained their dominance throughout the tour.
In the final clash, Pakistan struck five goals in the first half and continued their relentless scoring in the second, leaving the hosts far behind.
The series also brought individual accolades for the visitors. Sufyan Khan finished as the Top Scorer, while Ammad Butt was named the Best Player of the Tournament.
The Dhaka series was arranged by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) after Pakistan were forced to miss the Asia Cup in India earlier this year due to political tensions.
The successful outing now serves as crucial preparation for what lies ahead: the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026, scheduled in Belgium from February 28 to March 8.
The team will now shift focus to their next major assignment, Pakistan’s debut appearance in the FIH Pro League.
The national camp for the league will begin in Islamabad in the coming days, followed by two practice matches in Spain on November 29 and 30.
The seventh edition of the Pro League, starting in early December in Argentina, will feature nine teams: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain and Pakistan.
The Green Shirts open their campaign in Rosario, taking on the Netherlands on December 10 and hosts Argentina on December 12.
Pakistan hockey team will play 16 matches across four international legs, including tough outings against Germany and Australia in Hobart, and marquee European fixtures in Belgium and Spain.
A highlight for fans will undoubtedly be the highly anticipated clashes against arch-rivals India in London on June 23 and 26 next year.
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