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  Pakistan hockey team captain Abu Bakar has expressed confidence that the national side can deliver a strong performance at the upcoming Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands. Speaking to the media before the team’s departure for the Netherlands, the newly appointed captain said he was not feeling any pressure because of the responsibility of leading the national team. He added that all the players were united and fully focused on achieving their objectives in the tournament. Abu Bakar said the team had discussed its targets with senior players and that everyone was on the same page regarding the World Cup campaign. According to him, players including Imad Butt, Hannan Shahid and Sufyan Khan had made it clear that the team’s first objective was to qualify for the top four. “Our first target is to reach the top four, and after that, we want to stand on the victory podium,” Abu Bakar said, highlighting the team’s ambition to compete for a medal rather than simply participate in the tournament. The captain also spoke about Pakistan’s highly anticipated clash with arch-rivals India. He said the World Cup encounter would be completely different from the matches played between the two sides in the FIH Pro League. While the players are familiar with each other from previous international competitions, Abu Bakar believes the pressure and significance of a World Cup match will make the contest much more challenging. “Compared to the Pro League, the World Cup match against India will be completely different,” he said. Despite the intensity surrounding the Pakistan-India rivalry, Abu Bakar remained confident about his team’s chances. He said Pakistan would make every possible effort to defeat India and secure an important victory in the tournament. The captain also praised the support and unity within the national squad. He said the senior players were playing an important role in supporting one another and helping the younger members of the team deal with the demands of international hockey. According to Abu Bakar, the team’s positive environment has helped the players remain focused on their goals. He stressed that captaincy was not an individual responsibility and that success would depend on the collective efforts of the entire squad. Pakistan will enter the World Cup with high expectations as the team looks to restore its position among the world’s leading hockey nations. The players are expected to face strong competition from some of the best teams in international hockey, making every match crucial to their campaign. For Abu Bakar, the tournament will also be an important test of his leadership as he takes charge of the national side. However, his comments suggest that he is confident in both his teammates and their preparations. With the squad united around the goal of reaching the top four, Pakistan will hope to produce consistent performances throughout the competition. The team will aim to go beyond the initial target and finish the tournament on the victory podium. As the players leave for the Netherlands, Abu Bakar’s message is clear: there is no room for fear or pressure. The team wants to compete strongly, support one another and give its best against every opponent, particularly India. Pakistan hockey fans will now be hoping that the captain and his teammates can turn their confidence and determination into results on the field and make a deep run in the World Cup.

  MULTAN: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced free entry for cricket fans attending the upcoming National Champions Cup, which is scheduled to take place from 11 to 18 August at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The PCB confirmed the decision through an official promotional flyer shared on its social media platforms. The move is expected to encourage cricket supporters to attend the matches and watch some of the country’s leading domestic players in action. The tournament will feature seven matches all of which will be played under day-night conditions. According to the schedule, the matches are expected to begin at around 3 pm local time. The National Champions Cup is a new 50-over List-A domestic competition and will also officially mark the beginning of Pakistan’s 2026-27 domestic cricket season. Four teams will participate in the tournament: Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold. The competition will follow a single-league round-robin format meaning each team will compete against the other participating sides during the league stage. At the conclusion of the league matches, the two teams with the highest points will qualify for the final, where they will compete for the tournament title. The PCB has also finalised the playing XIs for all four teams. In addition, a 13-player reserve pool has been selected for the competition. The reserve players will remain with their respective teams during training sessions and match days. According to the PCB’s arrangements, reserve players can be included in the playing XI if a team faces an injury or concussion-related replacement requirement after announcing its original XI. This arrangement is intended to ensure that teams have adequate cover throughout the competition. The tournament will feature several prominent Pakistan players as captains. Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead Pakistan Gold, while Shadab Khan has been appointed captain of Pakistan Greens. Saim Ayub will captain Pakistan Whites, whereas Sahibzada Farhan will lead Pakistan Blues. The Champions Cup is particularly important as the PCB continues its preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The board has selected a wider pool of 44 players along with reserve players, to provide opportunities for cricketers to demonstrate their abilities and strengthen their claims for future national selection. The domestic competition will therefore serve as an important platform for players seeking to establish themselves at the national level. Performances during the tournament could help the selectors assess the form, fitness and consistency of players ahead of future international assignments. With free admission, a strong line-up of players and the opening of the new domestic season, the National Champions Cup is expected to attract considerable interest from cricket fans in Multan and across Pakistan. The tournament will provide supporters with an opportunity to watch emerging and established players compete in a competitive 50-over format while the PCB continues its broader preparations for the next World Cup cycle.