This undated picture reveals Pakistan hockey crew gamers Ammad Butt (left) and Abu Bakar. — X/@abubakartariq27
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has appointed Abu Bakar as the brand new captain of the Pakistan nationwide hockey crew on the advice of its Skilled Growth Committee.
In accordance with a PHF assertion, the advice was made by the committee comprising Islahuddin Siddiqui and Hassan Sardar, and permitted by PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani.
The federation stated Abu Bakar will lead the nationwide aspect as Pakistan prepares for upcoming worldwide competitions.
He succeeded Amaad Butt, who served as Pakistan’s captain.
Within the assertion, the PHF expressed appreciation for Ahmad Butt’s contribution and dedication to the nationwide crew, including that he’ll proceed to stay a part of the Pakistan squad as a senior participant.
The federation stated it’s assured that, beneath Abu Bakar’s management and with the expertise of senior gamers alongside youthful members of the squad, the crew will proceed to develop right into a aggressive unit.
The appointment comes after Pakistan endured a disappointing marketing campaign within the FIH Professional League 2026, the place the crew completed and not using a single victory. Pakistan misplaced all 16 of their matches within the nine-team match, enjoying every of the opposite eight collaborating nations twice, and ended on the backside of the standings with a aim distinction of -57.
Earlier in March this yr, Pakistan secured qualification for the FIH Hockey Males’s World Cup, ending an eight-year absence from the match. They booked their place with a 4-3 victory over Japan within the semi-finals of the World Cup Qualifiers in Ismailia, Egypt, on March 6, 2026.
The 2026 FIH Hockey Males’s World Cup will probably be held from August 14 to August 30, with Belgium and the Netherlands serving as co-hosts.
