'We were told to stay quiet': Ammad Shakeel Butt exposes Pakistan Hockey team’s Australia tour crisis
(Courtesy : @FIH_Hockey/Twitter)
Pakistan lost all four matches in their tour to Australia.
When Pakistan Hockey Team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt said in a video that the team was being treated well during the Australia tour, it wasn’t the truth.
Now, after returning to Lahore, Butt has admitted he lied about their situation back then, not for himself, but because he was told the country’s reputation was at stake. Especially with arch-rivals India watching them.
The reality, according to the captain, was far worse. The team was left stranded at the airport for 13–14 hours waiting for a connecting flight to Canberra.
When they finally arrived, there was no accommodation arranged. Hotel bookings had been cancelled due to no payment given in advance booking. Players were left without food. They had to cook for themselves, wash dishes, and clean their own rooms and then go out to represent Pakistan in the field.
And the results showed. In the Hobart leg of the FIH Pro League 2025-26, Pakistan lost all four matches. They nearly pulled off a comeback against Australia in the first game, fighting from 0–2 to 2–2 before conceding late in a 3–2 defeat.
Germany beat them 5–2. Australia followed with a 3–0 win. The tour ended with a crushing 6–1 loss to Germany.
A frustrated Butt didn’t hold back. “When players have to clean the kitchen and wash dishes before going to play a match, what result do you expect? We are playing the qualifying matches for the World Cup but in this condition how can anyone play?” he asked, openly criticising the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
Also Read: Why is FIH Pro League 2025-26 crucial for Indian hockey after lacklustre show in 2024-25?
What makes the case more serious is that the Pakistan Sports Board had reportedly allocated Rs 10 million for accommodation and player welfare. However, Butt claims those funds never reached the team, and no advance hotel payments were made.
As for why he stayed silent during the tour? He says the players were told not to speak up because it was about “reputation.” In his own words: “Kyuki baat India tak pahunch rahi hai.”
Now, after the interview video in Lahore went viral all acorss the sporting community, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an inquiry into the mismanagement of the tour.
What did Ammad Shakeel Butt admit after returning from Australia?
He admitted that he was not truthful in a viral video during the tour and said the team was asked to stay quiet to protect Pakistan’s reputation.
What problems did the Pakistan hockey team face in Australia?
According to Butt, players were stranded at the airport for hours, had hotel bookings cancelled due to unpaid bills, struggled with food arrangements, and had to manage basic chores themselves before matches.
How did Pakistan perform in the Hobart leg of the FIH Pro League 2026?
Pakistan lost all four matches, twice to Australia and twice to Germany, including a heavy 6–1 defeat in their final game.
Why didn’t the captain speak up during the tour?
Butt said the team was told not to complain because it could damage the country’s image, especially with rivals like India following the situation.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram
Uzma Fatima is a passionate sports journalist who believes every match has a story waiting to be told. Whether it's the grace of Olympic champions, the grit of tennis and badminton battles, or the drama of cricket’s highs and heartbreaks — she loves capturing the emotion behind the action. Off the field, she’s a Formula 1 enthusiast who never misses a race weekend.