FIH Pro League, Australia tour fiasco: Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Butt’s two-year ban revoked
The Pakistan government on Friday revoked national men’s hockey team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt’s two-year ban, calling the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s decision “illegal and unconstitutional.”
Outgoing PHF president Tariq Bugti had imposed the ban on Thursday, shortly before resigning, after Butt publicly criticised the federation over alleged mismanagement during the team’s recent tour of Australia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the PHF’s patron-in-chief, accepted Bugti’s resignation and appointed Muhuydin Ahmed Wani as interim president. Wani promptly overturned the suspension. Brig Musratullah was named Director-General, with both officials tasked with running hockey affairs on an ad hoc basis.
The controversy erupted after Pakistan’s return from the FIH Pro League leg in Australia, where the team reportedly faced severe logistical issues. Despite the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) releasing 10 million rupees to cover five-star accommodation in Canberra, players were housed in Airbnb properties. At one point, the squad was denied hotel entry over alleged non-payment and spent hours on the road.
On arrival home, Butt and other senior players told reporters they could no longer work with the current PHF and team management. Butt alleged that players were warned against speaking to the media, had not received daily allowances for nearly a year, and were even forced to clean kitchens and wash dishes before matches.
Bugti defended the federation, shifting responsibility to the PSB and insisting it handled tour arrangements. He banned Butt for bringing Pakistan hockey into disrepute.
On the field, Pakistan has endured a torrid Pro League campaign, losing all eight matches to the Netherlands, Argentina, Australia and Germany, and sits last in the nine-team standings. The team is scheduled to travel to Egypt in four months for the final World Cup qualifying tournament.
Published on Feb 20, 2026