LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain and Olympian Shakeel Abbasi has called on the national team to adopt a more aggressive and attacking style of play at the ongoing World Cup, warning that defensive strategies are leaving the side vulnerable against top opposition.
Providing expert analysis after Pakistan’s match against England, Abbasi observed that the team showed greater intent and energy in the third and fourth quarters, but their earlier defensive approach kept them under sustained pressure.
In an interaction with media, Abbasi highlighted that Pakistan’s performance improved once they switched to attacking hockey in the second half, underlining the drawbacks of their passive start.
“England exploited Pakistan’s defense with short aerial passes from both wings, exposing gaps that Abbasi said must be urgently addressed.”He stressed that forwards must build attacks through structured combinations rather than isolated individual efforts, which diluted offensive drives.
Abbasi urged the team to earn more penalty corners, giving drag-flickers greater opportunities to score.Abbasi emphasized that Pakistan must break free from defensive pressure and execute organized, aggressive, and cohesive hockey in upcoming matches. He warned that every team at the World Cup will look to exploit visible weaknesses, making it vital for Pakistan to refine their tactical approach.
