Lahore, June 19, 2026: Pakistan men’s hockey team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt’s participation in the England leg of the ongoing FIH Pro League remains uncertain after he failed to secure a UK visa ahead of the team’s scheduled departure.
The Green Shirts are currently competing in Belgium, where they have already played two matches against the hosts and one against Spain. Pakistan will conclude the Belgium leg with another match against Spain on Saturday before departing for England on June 21.
Pakistan are scheduled to face hosts England and arch-rivals India twice each between June 23 and June 27 in the final leg of the tournament.
However, sources said Butt had not received his visa by Friday, casting doubt over his availability for the crucial fixtures. The reason behind the delay has not yet been disclosed.
In the event of Butt’s absence, defender Abu Bakar is expected to captain the national side during the England leg. Sources further revealed that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the national selection committee would decide on a replacement player if required, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.
The uncertainty surrounding Butt’s participation adds to Pakistan’s growing challenges in the tournament. The team is already without key players Hanan Shahid and Sufyan Khan, both sidelined due to injuries.
Pakistan have endured a difficult campaign in the nine-team FIH Pro League and currently sit at the bottom of the standings after losing all 11 of their matches so far.
- Pakistan squad for FIH Pro League
- Goalkeepers: Waqar Ali, Ali Raza
- Defenders: Abu Bakar, Arbaz Ahmad, Mohammad Abdullah
- Midfielders: Nadeem Khan, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Moin Shakeel, Hammad Anjum, Zakriya Hayat
- Forwards: Ghazanfar Ali, Mohammad Emmad, Rana Waleed, Afraz Khan, Rana Wahid, Abdul Rehman, Ahmad Nadeem and Arshad Liaquat
Pakistan will be hoping to overcome their personnel setbacks and end their winless run when they take on Spain on Saturday before heading to England for the final phase of their FIH Pro League campaign.
