Pakistan hockey captain Imad Butt alleges mismanagement, unpaid dues, and poor arrangements during the Pro League tour in Australia.

Players of the Pakistan national hockey team have made serious allegations against team management and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) following their participation in the ongoing FIH Hockey Pro League in Australia.

Speaking to the media upon arrival at Lahore Airport, team captain Imad Butt claimed that players faced severe administrative failures during the tour, including lack of accommodation and basic facilities.

“We waited 13 hours like orphans”

Captain Imad Butt said qualifying for the FIH Hockey Pro League after seven years was a major achievement for the team. However, upon arrival in Australia, the players were allegedly left stranded at Sydney Airport for 13 hours due to the absence of confirmed hotel bookings.

“We waited like orphans,” he said, adding that reports circulating from Hobart about poor arrangements were accurate. According to him, players were discouraged from speaking to the media and were told that the issue could escalate internationally.

Imad Butt further claimed that players had to arrange their own breakfast and even wash dishes themselves. Despite inadequate rest and difficult conditions, he said the team tried its best to perform.

He also alleged that team management asked players whether they stood with management or against them, stating that under the current system, progress would be difficult.

Pakistan hockey team Australia controversy

Unpaid allowances and financial concerns

Hockey player Muhammad Hanan alleged that upon arrival in Australia, the team discovered that no hotel bookings had been made and they were forced to remain without proper accommodation for one to two days.

He claimed that daily allowances for 2023 remain unpaid and that the Pakistan Hockey Federation has outstanding dues exceeding Rs 3 million.

Player Rana Waheed said that despite pending payments, players chose to represent Pakistan out of national duty. However, he expressed concern that continuing under the present management structure would be challenging.

Captain Imad Butt added that although a daily allowance of $115 was announced by the Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), it is unrealistic to expect players to cover three daily meals solely from that amount during an international tour.

He said it remains unclear whether responsibility lies with the PHF or the Pakistan Sports Board, as both institutions appear to shift blame onto each other.

I hope @CMShehbaz feel emabarce and take a serious action against the PHF.
NO mercy this time please. The same thing has been happening for decades. pic.twitter.com/8W0VlD8duv

— Adnan Zakir (@ad_grays) February 17, 2026

Government notice and PSB response

Following earlier reports about inadequate arrangements in Australia, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Advisor on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah reportedly took notice of the matter.

Director Pakistan Sports Board Lahore, Norish Sabah, acknowledged that the team faced poor arrangements abroad. He stated that if players are not provided with quality accommodation, food, and basic facilities, performance naturally suffers.

He added that government funds had already been released to the Hockey Federation and that an audit of the PHF would be conducted in light of administrative concerns and the team’s performance issues.

Coaches raise concerns over media interaction

Pakistan hockey team coach Tahir Zaman criticized players for speaking to the media, stating that there should be a clear code of conduct regarding who is authorized to address the press.

“There should be rules about who speaks to the media and where,” he said.

Uncertainty ahead of World Cup qualifiers

The players emphasized that the World Cup qualifier round is scheduled within the next five days. They warned that if administrative issues are not resolved promptly, the team’s performance could be negatively affected.

They have called for competent and merit-based leadership within Pakistan hockey to prevent similar situations in the future.