Visa denied, Pakistan captain Ammad Shakeel Butt likely to miss FIH Pro League

Pakistan captain Ammad Shakeel Butt (Image credit: X) NEW DELHI: Troubled Pakistan hockey team suffered yet another setback ahead of their final FIH Pro League match in England, with regular captain Ammad Shakeel Butt set to miss the tour due to visa issues.According to a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) official, Ammad’s visa application has been rejected while head coach Manzur-ul-Hasan is still awaiting approval. Pakistan is scheduled to fly to England where they will play four matches against England and India from June 23.The development comes at a difficult time for Pakistan, who have lost all 11 matches in this year’s Pro League against Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. The team is now in danger of relegation from the top rung of the competition.PHF officials said Ammad’s visa was denied because he had previously stayed in England while playing club hockey. The overstay was reportedly due to a misunderstanding with the club he represented during his six-month stint in the country.There were also reports that Ammad had once applied for political asylum in the UK. However, a PHF official said he could not independently verify the claims.With Ammad unavailable, senior player Abu Bakr is expected to captain the team during the English leg of the tournament.There is also uncertainty about the coaching setup. If Manzur-ul-Hasan does not get his visa in time, former Pakistan international Tahir Zaman could take over the squad for the England matches.Pakistan’s poor performances in the Pro League have already drawn criticism from former players and fans. There have also been questions about the decision to appoint 74-year-old Manzur as coach and rely solely on local support staff, especially with the World Cup in August in mind.Visa issues have now added another challenge for a team desperate for a turnaround ahead of the World Cup.