Pakistan likely to host Korea for four-match series ahead of hockey World Cup
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LAHORE: Pakistan will most likely host a four-match series against South Korea in the last week of June soon after the national squad returns from the FIH Pro League tour to Europe, national team’s head coach Manzoor-ul-Hasan Senior said here on Tuesday.
“The negotiations [for the proposed series] are in final stages between the Pakistan Hockey Federation and its South Korean counterpart. According to the plan, two matches each will be held in Lahore and Islamabad,” Manzoor said on the first day of the national training camp set up here at the National Hockey Stadium for the Pro League.
Pakistan are scheduled to play the third leg of their Pro League matches in Belgium (against Belgium and Spain) and England (against England and India) from June 13 to 27. After the Pro League, Pakistan will be featuring in the 16-nation World Cup from Aug 15 to 30 in Belgium and the Netherlands. The Green shirts will be returning to the World Cup after a gap of eight years.
While more than 64 players were invited for the initial stage of the Pro League camp, only 34 reported on Tuesday.
According to the head coach, 18 probables are currently playing league hockey in different countries, one player is unfit while another one did not report without giving any reason.
Manzoor said that the Samiullah Khan-led selection committee would reduce the number of the probables on May 12-13, adding that the camp would continue till the team’s departure for Belgium.
It is pertinent to mention here that since the ad-hoc was imposed on the PHF in February, this is the first hockey activity being held in Lahore where the federation’s headquarters is located. In the meantime, the PHF had been functioning primarily in Islamabad.
The head coach, on the occasion, mentioned the details of the camp.
“On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the players will undergo basic practice while Thursday will be the rest day. From Friday to Sunday, practice matches featuring probables will be held,” he said.
“Overall, the camp probables are showing their talent; We hope [gradually] they will shape up to become international stuff [in time].
“Though the Pro League matches will be tough, the coaches will try their best to prepare a strong team to win matches,” the head coach stated.
Pakistan, who are competing in the Pro League for the very first time since its inception in 2019, lost all their eight matches of the 2025-26 edition, first against Argentina and Holland in Argentina, and then against Australia and Germany in Australia.
Pakistan, 12th in FIH world team rankings, were made part of this season’s Pro League by the FIH after New Zealand, ranked 11th, opted out owing to financial constraints.
Facing world’s top-tier teams like the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Spain, England and India in the League will definitely help Pakistan improve their game in the long run.
Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026
