Pakistan Hockey Shake-Up Ahead of Australia Pro League Matches

Published On: January 22, 2026

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has decided to exclude team manager Anjum Saeed from the national squad’s upcoming tour of Australia following an alleged breach of team discipline.

According to sources, the federation took the decision to maintain discipline within the team setup. As a result, head coach Tahir Zaman will assume additional responsibilities and serve as camp commandant and acting manager during the tour.

Manager to Remain Part of Setup, But Stay Behind

Sources clarified that while Anjum Saeed will remain associated with the team, he will not travel to Australia with the squad.

The decision reportedly stems from an incident that occurred during the team’s return journey from Argentina, following the first phase of the FIH Pro Hockey League.

Details of the Alleged Incident

According to reports, Anjum Saeed allegedly smoked onboard the aircraft, which was considered a violation of team discipline and international travel regulations. It was further reported that he did not return to Pakistan with the team and was allegedly stopped in Brazil.

However, Anjum Saeed has denied the smoking allegation, maintaining that he did not violate any rules during the flight.

Pro Hockey League Australia Phase

The second phase of the FIH Pro Hockey League will take place from February 10 to 15 in Hobart, Australia. During this stage, Pakistan, Australia, and Germany will compete against each other in a crucial round of matches.

To prepare for the tournament, the training camp for probable Pakistan hockey players is scheduled to begin on January 5.

Conclusion

The decision to drop the team manager highlights PHF’s stance on enforcing discipline within the national squad as Pakistan gears up for important international fixtures. With Tahir Zaman handling dual responsibilities, the focus now shifts to on-field performance in the upcoming Pro Hockey League matches.