(Amsterdam)
Sept 2:2026
Five weeks were too short to adequately prepare the Pakistan hockey team for a major event like the World Cup, but the national side performed well despite the limited preparation time, assistant coach Adnan Zakir said on Wednesday.
Talking to PPA in Amsterdam, Adnan Zakir said the short preparation period meant that several aspects of the game could not be covered completely. However, he termed the team’s improvement in fourth-quarter scoring and its ability to fight back in the closing stages as a major achievement.
He said the national side still needed considerable work and stressed that continuity was essential for producing consistent results.
“Pakistan hockey has considerable talent, but the system needs further improvement and some necessary changes,” he said, adding that the team required more time and sustained preparation to deliver consistently.
On captain Abu Bakar Mahmood’s injury, Adnan Zakir said the player’s condition was improving but he had not been allowed to participate in the remaining World Cup matches to prevent the injury from worsening.
Had he played and aggravated the injury, it could have affected his participation in the forthcoming Korea series and Asian Games, he said. “Hopefully, Abu Bakar will recover within a week.”
Pakistan returned to the World Cup after an eight-year absence. During the tournament, injuries prevented Mr Mahmood from leading the side in some matches, with Moin Shakeel and Rana Waheed Ashraf also assuming captaincy.
Adnan Zakir also praised Pakistan Hockey Federation president Mohiuddin for his efforts for the promotion and development of hockey, describing his work as commendable.
