The Pakistan hockey team, which secured the silver medal in the previous edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup, has not been included in this year’s tournament.
According to sources, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) did not receive an invitation from the event organizers. The Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup is an invitational tournament, and only selected teams are invited to participate.
Notably, last year’s champions, Japan, have also been left out of the competition. The 2025 edition of the tournament is scheduled to take place from November 22 to 29 in Ipoh, Malaysia. The teams competing this year include Belgium, Canada, Germany, India, Ireland, and Malaysia.
The international governing body of hockey has already released the event schedule.
In the 2024 edition of the tournament, Japan clinched the title for the first time by defeating Pakistan 4-1 in a penalty shootout. Before the final, the Pakistan team remained unbeaten in the tournament, winning three matches and drawing two.
Pakistan had also secured the bronze medal in the edition prior to 2024, showcasing a consistent performance in the prestigious event.
