Pakistan Hockey hit as two stars ruled out before Pro League

National Hockey Stadium Lahore: Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming Pro Hockey League have taken a serious hit after two senior national players were ruled out due to injuries, with fresh concerns emerging over the quality of the stadium’s AstroTurf.

According to team sources, the injuries occurred during the national training camp held at the Lahore facility, where the playing surface has now come under scrutiny. Players have reportedly blamed the slow and worn-out AstroTurf for causing excessive strain during high-intensity drills.

Senior squad members Sufyan Khan and Hanan Shahid both suffered injuries during separate training sessions and have now been officially ruled out of the Pro Hockey League squad. Their absence is being described as a major setback for the team’s defensive and midfield balance ahead of the high-profile international event.

Team insiders reveal that concerns over the pitch conditions were raised even before the camp intensified. Captain Imad Shakeel Butt and defender Sufyan Khan had earlier pointed out that the surface felt unusually slow, affecting acceleration and increasing the risk of injury during rapid transitions.

Players further noted that the AstroTurf appeared under-maintained and had not been recently upgraded, which may have contributed to uneven grip and increased physical stress on joints and muscles.

What has added to the controversy is the reported lack of a structured medical and rehabilitation plan for the injured players. Sources claim that after the injuries, no comprehensive treatment strategy has yet been finalized, raising questions about player welfare and camp management.

As Pakistan gears up for the Pro Hockey League, the twin setbacks have sparked debate over infrastructure readiness and athlete safety, with calls growing for urgent upgrades to domestic training facilities to prevent further losses.