NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s struggling hockey team suffered yet another setback ahead of the final leg of the FIH Pro League in England, with full-time captain Ammad Shakeel Butt set to miss the tour due to visa issues.According to a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) official, Ammad’s visa application has been rejected, while head coach Manzur-ul-Hasan is still awaiting approval. Pakistan is scheduled to leave for England, where they will play four matches against England and India from June 23.The development comes at a difficult time for Pakistan, who have lost all 11 matches in this season’s Pro League against Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. The team is now in danger of relegation from the top tier of the competition.PHF officials said Ammad’s visa was denied because he had previously overstayed in England while playing club hockey. The overdraft was allegedly due to a misunderstanding with the club he represented during his six-month stay in the country.There were also reports that Ammad once sought political asylum in the United Kingdom. However, a PHF official said he could not independently verify the claims.With Ammad unavailable, senior player Abu Bakr is expected to captain the team during the English leg of the tournament.There is also uncertainty about the coaching setup. If Manzur-ul-Hasan does not get his visa on time, former Pakistan international Tahir Zaman could lead the team for the matches in England.Pakistan’s poor performances in the Pro League have already drawn criticism from former players and fans. Questions have also been raised about the decision to appoint 74-year-old Manzur as coach and to rely entirely on local support staff, especially with the World Cup of Hockey in August.The visa issues have now added another challenge for a team desperate for a turnaround ahead of the World Cup.
