Pakistan Hockey Revival: Ammad Butt Eyes Big Wins Against India in Pro League
Pakistan captain Ammad Butt believes the Pakistan Hockey Revival can begin with victories against India. The national team will face its arch-rivals during the upcoming FIH Pro League matches next month. Ammad shared his confidence during training at Lahore’s National Hockey Stadium. He said Pakistan-India hockey matches always attract global attention. Therefore, winning those games could lift the team’s morale and popularity. Pakistan will play Belgium and Spain in Belgium from June 13 to 20. After that, the squad will travel to England for matches against England and India. The captain praised India’s current form and strong squad depth. However, he stressed that Pakistan will focus on improving rankings and securing future Pro League qualification.
World Cup Preparation Remains Key Goal
Ammad explained that recent Pro League matches helped the team gain valuable experience. Pakistan previously faced strong sides like Argentina, Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands. Although Pakistan lost those matches, the team learned important lessons. In addition, the players improved their confidence against top-ranked opponents. The skipper revealed that reaching the World Cup semi-finals remains the main target. He also hopes Pakistan can win the Asian Games title and qualify directly for the 2028 Olympics.
According to Ammad, the coaching staff continues to push players during intense training sessions. The team currently works on fitness, defense, and penalty-corner conversion. He admitted that European hockey standards remain higher than Asian competitions. For example, European teams often show better structure and physical fitness during matches. Still, Ammad praised his teammates for their effort and commitment. He believes fans will soon see major improvement in Pakistan’s performances. The upcoming Pro League fixtures could become a turning point for Pakistan hockey. Supporters now hope the national side can restore its past glory on the international stage.
