Pakistan's Hockey Captain Butt Eyes Victory Against India in Major Tournaments

Pakistan men's hockey team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt has expressed confidence as they prepare to challenge arch-rivals India in the FIH Pro League and the 2026 Hockey World Cup, co-hosted by Belgium and The Netherlands.

Recognizing India's prowess, Butt noted Pakistan's determination: 'We haven't had the best results against India recently, but we've intensified our preparation. A victory against them could tremendously boost our confidence,' he said.

Scheduled to meet India twice in the fourth phase of the Pro League and again in World Cup Pool D, the focus is on refining strategies. Butt stressed improvements in attack, short corners, and overall fitness under the guidance of coach Manzoor-ul-Hassan Senior, as Pakistan looks to correct mistakes from previous games.

(With inputs from agencies.)