KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan have pulled out of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) informed the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) of their decision on Friday night but did not give any reason for their withdrawal.

MHC secretary-general Datuk Johari Abdul Aziz said that they will keep the event a six-nation affair as there is no time to invite another team as replacement.

The tournament will be held from March 13-23 in Ipoh, with Malaysia battling World No 1 Australia, Canada, China, South Africa and South Korea.

“I received an e-mail late on Friday from the Pakistan Hockey Federation informing me that they have decided to withdraw from the Azlan Shah Cup,” Johari Aziz said on Saturday.

“Pakistan had confirmed their participation earlier and their 11th hour withdrawal has placed us in a sticky situation. It is too late to invite another team, and also we don’t want to beg a team who are not interested to play.

“So, it will be a six-team tournament this year”

Commenting on Pakistan’s withdrawal, he added: “We have no idea why they withdrew. All they said was that they are unable to take part this year. We are also unable to shorten the duration of the meet as most teams have already confirmed their travel arrangements.

“The fixtures will be reviewed. We will have to let the FIH ratify it first before releasing it.”

This year’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup has taken a major hit with nations not being able to field their best teams.

India were the first team to decline invitation, and then France pulled out to play in the Champions Challenge I in Kuantan instead and South Africa were their replacements.—Agencies