ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s hockey team has suffered a significant setback ahead of its departure for the prestigious FIH Pro League in Europe, with star forward Hannan Shahid and leading penalty-corner specialist Sufyan Khan being ruled out because of injuries just days before the squad leaves for Belgium.
An official source in Lahore confirmed to The News that both players, regarded as key members of Pakistan’s plans for the challenging international assignment, have been forced to withdraw after failing to recover from injuries that have troubled them in recent weeks.
Hannan Shahid, one of Pakistan’s most influential attacking players, has suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury, while Sufyan Khan has again aggravated a knee problem, ending their hopes of featuring in the Pro League campaign.
The development comes as a major blow for the national side, which was counting heavily on Hannan’s speed, creativity and goal-scoring ability in the forward line, as well as Sufyan’s expertise on penalty corners, an area that has become increasingly crucial in modern international hockey.
Pakistan head coach Manzoor-ul-Hassan confirmed the injuries and expressed concern over the loss of two experienced players at a critical stage of preparations. “Hannan Shahid’s hamstring injury has resurfaced, creating difficulties for the team, while Sufyan Khan has again suffered a knee injury. Unfortunately, both players are unavailable for the tour,” the coach said.
To fill the vacancies, the team management has called up Abdul Manan and Basharat Ali, both of whom have been training with the national camp in Lahore and were already under consideration for selection.
Sources revealed that all travel arrangements for Hannan and Sufyan, including air tickets and visas, had already been completed by the Pakistan Hockey Federation before their injuries worsened.
The national squad is currently engaged in an intensive training camp in Lahore as preparations enter their final phase. The players and coaching staff are focusing on fitness, tactical drills and match simulations ahead of what is expected to be one of Pakistan’s toughest international assignments in recent years.
Pakistan are scheduled to depart for Europe on June 9. During the Pro League leg, the Green Shirts will play two matches each against Spain and Belgium before travelling to London, where they will face England and arch-rivals India in another set of high-profile fixtures.
The tour is being viewed as an important opportunity for Pakistan to test themselves against some of the world’s leading hockey nations and gain valuable exposure at the highest level.
However, the absence of two front-line players has undoubtedly dealt a blow to the team’s preparations and will place greater responsibility on the remaining squad members to rise to the occasion against elite opposition.
