LAHORE (Web Desk) — Pakistan’s national hockey team returned home after finishing 11th at the Hockey World Cup, with players describing their return to the global competition after an eight-year absence as valuable experience despite disappointing results.
The national squad arrived at Lahore airport from Amsterdam via Istanbul following the conclusion of its World Cup campaign.
Pakistan had returned to the World Cup after an eight-year gap, marking an important milestone for a country that once dominated international hockey.
The Green Shirts, however, struggled to translate their return into the results they had hoped for.
Pakistan suffered defeats against India and England, while its encounter with Wales ended in a draw, leaving the national side 11th in the final standings.
Ammad Shakeel Butt says team fell short of expectations
National player Ammad Shakeel Butt acknowledged that Pakistan had not produced the desired results but said competing at the World Cup had nevertheless been a useful experience for the squad.
He said exposure to high-level international competition would help the players understand the areas in which they needed to improve.
The tournament was particularly significant for Pakistan after the national team had spent eight years away from hockey’s premier global competition.
Despite its proud history, Pakistan has struggled in recent years to maintain the international dominance that once made it one of the most formidable teams in world hockey.
Hannan Shahid eyes improved Asian Games performance
Forward Hannan Shahid said lessons learned during the World Cup could help Pakistan when it competes at the Asian Games.
He said the players would seek to produce better results at the continental event after gaining experience against strong international opposition at the World Cup.
The Asian Games will now become a major focus for the national squad as Pakistan attempts to build on its return to top-level competition.
World Cup experience could help rebuilding process
Pakistan’s 11th-place finish is unlikely to satisfy supporters of a country with one of the richest histories in the sport, but the tournament provided the squad with much-needed exposure against international opposition.
Pakistan has won the men’s Hockey World Cup four times, more than any other nation, but its international fortunes have declined significantly from the heights reached during its golden era.
Returning to the World Cup after eight years therefore represented an important step in efforts to revive the national game.
The challenge for Pakistan will now be to convert the experience gained at the tournament into improved performances.
Players believe the World Cup campaign has provided valuable lessons ahead of the Asian Games, where Pakistan will look to deliver a stronger showing and regain momentum on the international stage.
