Humiliation For Pakistan Hockey Team! Spent Hours 'Stranded' On Aussie Roads As...

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 16:42 IST

Pakistan’s hockey team was left stranded in Canberra after their hotel booking was cancelled over non-payment, forcing players to wait for hours on the roads.

Pakistan’s national hockey team faced a humiliating situation in Canberra after their hotel booking was cancelled due to non-payment, forcing players to spend hours without accommodation upon arrival in Australia for the second leg of the FIH Pro League in Hobart.

According to PTI, the squad had been assured that proper arrangements had been made.

“Apparently, the players and officials were booked in a four-star hotel in Canberra and were told that the Pakistan Sports Board and Pakistan Hockey Federation had made all upfront payments for their stay in Canberra," the news agency quoted a source as saying.

However, when the team landed in Canberra last week, they were told there were no confirmed reservations. “But when they reached Canberra last week, they found no bookings for them at the designated hotel. The team’s head coach, Tahir Zaman, faced problems getting in touch with PSB and PHF officials back home because of the time difference," the quoted source added.

Left stranded after a long journey from Lahore, the players had no immediate place to rest after the long journey.

After waiting outside the hotel for several hours, the matter was eventually resolved, but not without compromise.

“Because of unavailability of required rooms the players and officials were accommodated in a lesser number of rooms then they were told. As a result two-three players occupied one room and next day, they went straight to the ground to play their first match against Australia, which they lost 3-2," the source revealed.

Some local Pakistanis also came to their rescue eventually.

The episode is being seen as a major embarrassment for Pakistan’s national sport, with the situation being worsened after the team lost all six of their matches in the competition so far.

This is not the first time the players have encountered administrative issues. During the earlier leg of the Pro League in Argentina, they reportedly did not receive their daily allowances. Before departing for Canberra, the PSB increased the daily allowance to USD 115 per player.

The team is also without a manager after former Olympian Anjum Saeed was removed by the PHF following an in-flight smoking incident and an altercation with airport security.

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