ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Pakistan hockey team has suffered a major setback in the Pro Hockey League, as captain Ammad Shakeel Butt has been denied a United Kingdom (UK) visa.
According to sources, Ammad will not accompany the squad for the remaining four Pro League fixtures scheduled in England from June 23 to 27.
Pakistan is currently placed at the bottom of the nine-team tournament’s standings. Green Shirts competed in Belgium, where they faced Belgium and Spain in the penultimate stage of the tournament, and have struggled for form, losing three of their first four matches.
Pakistan will face Spain again on Saturday to conclude the leg before moving to England, where they will be locking horns with the home side and arch-rivals India twice.
Consequently, in case of Butt’s absence, defender Abu Bakar is likely to captain the side in their two sets of matches against India and England, sources said.
The decision regarding his replacement as a player will be made by the national selection committee and will later be announced by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).
Local publication, Jang, citing sources, reported that Ammad Butt could not get a UK visa due to overstaying in England despite the expiration of his visa during his previous visit to the country.
According to sources, Butt had gone to play for England a few months ago, the club had assured him of extending his visa, and he also had to pay a fine upon his return to Pakistan.
Notably, the uncertainty around Butt’s participation in the England leg adds to Pakistan’s woes in the FIH Pro League, as they are already without two senior players, Hanan Shahid and Sufyan Khan, due to their respective injuries.
