2026 World Cup: Four nations to watch

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has officially unveiled its 20-member national squad and team management for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, signaling the country’s determination to make a strong impression on hockey’s biggest stage after securing qualification for the prestigious tournament. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) announced the squad on Wednesday, blending experienced international campaigners with a promising group of emerging young talents. The selection reflects the federation’s strategy of balancing experience with youth as Pakistan aims to revive its rich hockey legacy on the world stage. Squad The announced squad includes Waqar, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Moeen Shakeel, Abdul Waheed Ashraf Rana, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Zakariya Hayat, Arshad Liaqat, Adil Latif, Ahmed Nadeem, Ghazanfar Ali, Imad Shakeel Butt, Muhammad Hamaduddin Anjum, Rehman Abdul, Afraz, Umar Mustafa, Abu Bakar Mahmood, Ali Raza, Abdul Matan, and Muhammad Imad. Goalkeepers Among them, Waqar and Ali Raza have been named as the team’s two goalkeepers, entrusted with guarding Pakistan’s goal against some of the world’s strongest attacking sides. The Pakistan Hockey Federation also announced the complete support staff for the global event. Muhammad Owais Qarni will serve as team manager, while experienced Dutch coach Bob Johan Veldhof will lead the side as head coach. He will be assisted by British coach Christopher John Bowen and Pakistani assistant coach Adnan Zakir. Ashraf Sultan has been appointed as the team’s video technician to provide technical and tactical analysis throughout the tournament. PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani expressed complete confidence in the selected squad, saying the players have the talent, commitment and determination to compete at the highest level of international hockey. He extended his best wishes to both the players and the support staff, urging them to represent Pakistan with pride and passion. Wani also appealed to fans across the country to stand behind the Green Shirts and encourage them as they prepare for one of the sport’s biggest competitions. Pakistan, one of the most successful nations in hockey history, will be looking to regain its place among the world’s elite after qualifying for the World Cup. The upcoming tournament offers a valuable opportunity for the Green Shirts to showcase their progress and reignite hopes of restoring Pakistan’s former glory in international hockey. With a refreshed squad, experienced coaching staff and growing public support, expectations are rising that Pakistan can produce a memorable campaign at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Usman Shinwari has urged Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah to play more domestic and first-class cricket, arguing that regular competitive cricket can help the two premier pacers maintain their pace, fitness and longevity. Speaking to the media, Shinwari said Pakistan has traditionally placed too much emphasis on bowling speed, often overlooking the impact of workload and continuous cricket on a fast bowler’s body. “Even if your fitness is like Cristiano Ronaldo’s, bowling continuously can eventually affect your pace,” he said. Shinwari described Shaheen and Naseem as outstanding bowlers and said he was not in a position to offer them personal advice. However, he stressed that playing selected domestic cricket could help them retain their rhythm and speed while reducing the risk of injuries. The former pacer also discussed Pakistan’s upcoming challenges in England, saying tours of the country have historically been difficult for Pakistan. He believes the team can still produce a strong series if it carries its current momentum forward. Reflecting on Pakistan’s recent Test performances against the West Indies, Shinwari said the team’s first-match performance was disappointing but praised the side for making a strong comeback in the second Test. He emphasised the importance of consistency, saying better continuity within the team would ultimately produce better results. Shinwari also backed the decision to restore Babar Azam to the Test captaincy, describing it as a positive move and saying Babar has the ability to lead Pakistan in the longest format. Another major point raised by Shinwari was Pakistan’s approach to selecting players across different opponents. He argued that the same combination should not automatically be used against teams with vastly different playing conditions and strengths. Discussing Mohammad Abbas, Shinwari questioned the excessive focus on speed. He noted that Abbas had taken eight wickets at around 125kph in a recent match, arguing that the pacer’s best years were affected because too much importance had been attached to increasing his pace. “Speed is important, but it should not be given excessive importance,” he said. On Ihsanullah, Shinwari said the fast bowler had expressed grievances and suggested that his disciplinary issues should be addressed. Despite his experience, Shinwari made it clear that he has no plans to become Pakistan’s national team coach. He argued that coaches, like players, should progress through a structured system rather than being appointed directly to the national side. His comments have once again highlighted the debate over workload management, pace, domestic cricket and long-term planning in Pakistan’s fast-bowling system.

The Abu Dhabi T10 League is preparing for a major transformation as it heads towards its 10th season, with new ownership and stronger institutional oversight expected to reshape the tournament following a series of controversies. The league, launched in 2017 as the world’s first major T10 cricket competition, has attracted international players and significant attention for its fast-paced format. However, allegations and investigations linked to corruption, payment disputes involving players and frequent changes in franchise ownership have affected its reputation in recent years. In response to these challenges, the Abu Dhabi government has taken a more direct role in the competition. Through the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub, the government has acquired a majority stake in the league, a move aimed at bringing greater stability and long-term planning to the tournament. The authorities are now seeking new franchise owners through a competitive bidding process being conducted under the supervision of Deloitte. Final offers are expected to be submitted later this week, potentially marking a new chapter for the league. Abu Dhabi Sports Council chief executive Matt Boucher said the focus is on creating institutional stability and establishing longer-term agreements with franchise owners. The move is expected to provide teams with greater certainty while helping the competition strengthen its commercial and sporting foundations. Despite the planned restructuring, officials have indicated that the league will retain its current eight-team format. There are no immediate plans to increase the number of franchises, while expansion over the next three years is also not considered a priority. With fresh ownership, tighter management and a focus on stability, the Abu Dhabi T10 League now hopes to rebuild its credibility and establish itself as a sustainable annual cricket competition in the region.

MIAMI: Inter Miami suffered a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Monterrey in the Leagues Cup on Saturday, with Lionel Messi absent as he travelled to Argentina following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. The match began with an emotional tribute to Messi’s father, who died at the age of 68. Both teams observed a minute of silence before kick-off, while Inter Miami expressed its support for their captain and his family. Despite missing their star player, Miami looked set for another positive result after Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. The Argentine midfielder celebrated in a particularly touching manner, removing his No. 7 shirt to reveal a No. 10 underneath as a tribute to Messi. The hosts carried their 1-0 advantage into half-time, but Monterrey quickly changed the momentum after the break. Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers equalised just two minutes into the second half, putting Miami under increasing pressure. The match appeared destined for a draw until Monterrey delivered a late blow. Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi struck in the 90th minute to complete Monterrey’s comeback and leave Inter Miami empty-handed. The defeat comes after Miami opened their Leagues Cup campaign with a convincing 4-2 victory over Atletico San Luis. The MLS champions will now look to respond when they face Leon on Wednesday. For Messi, however, football understandably took a back seat as he returned to Argentina to be with his family following his father’s death. The emotional night in Miami showed just how much the Argentine captain means to the club, both on and off the pitch.

LONDON: Pakistan’s preparations for the highly anticipated three-match Test series against England will begin with a vital four-day warm-up fixture against a Professional County Club Select XI, offering the visitors an opportunity to fine-tune their game in English conditions before the opening Test. The Pakistan men’s cricket team is scheduled to arrive in London on August 8, with the warm-up match set to take place from August 12 to 15 at the County Cricket Ground, Beckenham. The fixture will be organized by Kent Cricket and will feature a Select XI comprising experienced first-class players from various English county sides. The practice match is expected to play a crucial role in helping Pakistan’s batters and bowlers adapt to the swinging and seam-friendly conditions that have traditionally challenged touring teams in England. Team management will also use the game to assess combinations and finalize the playing XI ahead of the Test series. Pakistan will begin the Test campaign on August 19 at Headingley in Leeds. The second Test will be played at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London from August 27, while the third and final match is scheduled for September 9 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The upcoming tour marks Pakistan’s fourth Test visit to England since 2016. During that period, Pakistan have produced several memorable performances, drawing two Test series while losing one in 2020. Their ability to compete in English conditions has earned praise from cricket experts and fans alike. Overall, Pakistan and England have contested 29 bilateral Test series since their first meeting in 1954, creating one of cricket’s most respected rivalries. With a challenging series on the horizon, the Beckenham warm-up fixture could prove decisive in shaping Pakistan’s preparations. Supporters will be hoping the team builds confidence early and carries that momentum into what promises to be another fascinating chapter in the historic Pakistan-England Test rivalry. Pakistan squad for England Tour: Babar Azam (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah Pakistan tour of England (All matches to begin at 3pm PKT): 1st Test – 19-23 August at Headingley, Leeds 2nd Test – 27-31 August at Lord’s, London 3rd Test – 9-13 September at Edgbaston, Birmingham