Just as momentum appeared to be building for the Pakistan hockey team, progress has been disrupted by reports that head coach Tahir Zaman has refused to travel with the squad to Bangladesh for a crucial three-match series.
According to Pakistani media, Tahir Zaman declined to accompany the team after developing differences with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). Insiders indicate that he has begun consulting close associates about formally stepping down from his role, citing frustration over internal disagreements related to player selection.
The dispute reportedly centers on the inclusion of two players who joined the national training camp after the official deadline had passed. Zaman opposed their selection, while PHF officials advocated for their participation—resulting in a standoff that now appears to have prompted his decision.
| Ammad Shakeel Butt (C) | Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan | Muneeb-ur-Rehman | Mohammad Sufyan |
| Mohammad Abdullah | Hammad-ud-Din | Abdul Manan | Moeen Shakeel |
| Zakraya Hayat | Arshad Liaqat | Ghazanfar Ali | Rana Abdul Waheed |
| Afraz | Abdul Hanan Shahid | Abdul Rahman | Rana Mohammad Walid |
| Ahmad Nadeem | Junaid Manzoor |
The news comes as a setback for the Pakistan hockey team, which is scheduled to face Bangladesh in a three-match series. The winner will advance to the 2026 Hockey World Cup qualifiers.
In Tahir Zaman’s absence, Mohammad Usman is expected to assume the dual role of head coach and team manager for the Bangladesh tour. However, his appointment may be temporary, as PHF is already exploring the possibility of hiring a foreign coach ahead of the Pro League later this year.
Zaman’s decision leaves Pakistan hockey in yet another moment of uncertainty, just as the team was beginning to stabilize following a series of administrative challenges. The federation’s next move—whether to persuade Tahir Zaman to reconsider or proceed with a replacement—will be pivotal in shaping the team’s immediate future.
For now, Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh will go ahead without its head coach, highlighting once again the fragile state of management within national hockey.
