Indian women's team has been relegated to the Nations Cup - a step down from the elite level they've been competing at. For Ireland, however, this is a breakthrough moment.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has threatened to pull out of next year's World Cup in India unless assured of "easy procurement" of visas and "top security" for its players at the event.
With India set to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia weighed in, stating that the decision on whether the two nations should compete against each other in sporting events must rest with the Government of India.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation on Wednesday recalled senior players Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt and Zeeshan Ashraf, who had announced their retirement after the team finished bottom of the heap in the World Cup in India. The PHF also recalled Waseem Ahmed and Salman Akbar for a national camp, from June 20, in Karachi, to prepare for a tour of Europe ahead of the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
"We are very disappointed at the way the Azlan Shah Cup organisers have dropped us from the tournament and included England in our place," PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmad said on Thursday.
The national federations had planned to hold the eight-match Test series on a home-and-away basis during March and April.
Not only did the Indian High Commission issue visa to the players, the new sponsors have also released nine million Pakistani rupees to cover the team's expenses in the tournament to be held in Bhubaneswar from November 28 to December 16.
Pakistan will join Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands, and Spain in the upcoming men's season of the FIH Hockey Pro League -- the seventh edition of the competition.
Pakistan Hockey Federation has finally got clearance from the government to send its national junior team to Lucknow, India for the FIH Junior World Cup next month. A reliable source in the PHF said that the ministry of inter-provincial coordination has informed the federation that the government has given the NOC for participating in the December 8-18 Junior World Cup. "The PHF officials were anxious about getting the NOC to send its team to India next month as the FIH event is scheduled from December 8 to 18th and it is an important event for the future of Pakistan hockey. But now the ministry has informed the PHF that the government has given the clearance," the source said.
A miffed Pakistan has threatened to pull out of the FIH Junior World Cup to be held in India later this year, a day after the Indian government has cancelled the proposed bilateral series between the two nations.
India will host Pakistan in a four-Test series after the Olympics.
The series was to be played in Malaysia.
Waseem Ahmed replaces Mohammad Nadeem as the capatin of the Pakistan hockey team in the forthcoming Test series against India.
The Secretary General of the Pakistan Hockey Federation Asif Bajwa also condoled the death of Singh.
Pakistan head coach Muhammad Saqlain admitted that India are ahead of his side in terms of preparations.
Pakistan hockey chief coach Shahnaz Shaikh has claimed that there was a conspiracy plotted against his team following the suspension of Mohammad Tousiq and Amjad Ali meted out in the recently held Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar.
India and Pakistan will play a six-match hockey Test series between February 15 and 25
With a bilateral test series planned for March-April, the Pakistan Hockey Federation wants to enter into an agreement with Hockey India under which the party found to be defaulting will be liable to pay the other federation a compensation of $200,000 dollars.
The World Cup will begin in Bhubaneswar from November 28 and Rizwan said his team is well prepared to handle the pressures during the prestigious tournament.
The PHF is considering inviting the team for a nine-nation tournament in December.
Caldas, Aikman in fray for Indian head coach's position
Eight senior Pakistani players have been summoned by the Pakistan Hockey Federation for a disciplinary hearing on May 7 for participating in the unsanctioned World Series Hockey in India.
Hockey Olympian Aslam Sher Khan is of the opinion that Indian hockey is run on the whims of FIH and there was no need to have a foreign coach on board.
Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Rana Mujahid is "frustrated" that the national sport is struggling to lure sponsors due to lack of international success in recent years and felt the scene was much better in India.
Pakistan Hockey Federation is still awaiting the No Objection Certificate from its government to send its national squad for the Junior Hockey World Cup, to be held in Lucknow from December 8.
HI Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh suggested that if the Pakistan hockey team can come to India, then the Men in Blue should also tour their neighbouring country.
Keen to revive bilateral ties with India, the Pakistan Hockey Federation is planning to host the country for a Test series and has got the government's clearance for it even though the dates are yet to be finalised.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation said it would not consider the trio of Sohail Abbas, Mohammad Saqlain and Waseem Ahmed for selection because they deserted the team.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has sought advice and security clearance from its government to send its team to New Delhi for the World Cup, which begins on February 28. PHF secretary Asif Bajwa said the federation is seeking security clearance from government ministries as it has concerns over playing in India.
Pakistan's sports minister Riaz Pirzada has said that consultations would be held with the relevant government ministries to consider imposing a complete ban on sports team from the country taking part in any event on Indian soil. "We are considering taking such a step after the treatment meted out to the Pakistan junior hockey team by the Indian High Commission and the International Hockey Federation which is headed by an Indian," he told the media.
The duo were left out of the squad for the twin series in Australia on disciplinary grounds.
The ace full-back was named in the 18-man team for the Champions Trophy hockey tournament.
Pakistan's hopes of hosting the Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament received another jolt as Britain, the replacement for Australia, expressed unwillingness to tour the country.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation called off its planned three-nation tournament later this month after India pulled out of the event. India's withdrawal came after Malaysia, the third team in the proposed tournament, pulled out two days back.
Pakistan will not be able to send its national team for Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia next month and the junior team to Singapore unless the government released the promised funds, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has said.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has allowed eight Pakistan Olympians to take part in the Indian league.
Pakistan Hockey Federation had sought a loan from the PCB to send the team to Bhubaneswar and clear the outstanding dues of players.
Former India captain Dhanraj Pillay on Monday batted for participation of Pakistan's players in the Hockey India League (HIL) tournament and urged Hockey India to take up the issue with politicians to ensure their presence in the future editions of the franchise-based league.
India will battle it out against the likes of South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan and China in the Asian Champions Trophy.
