Pakistan to tour Australia in October

Hockey team to play nine-a-side tournament, bilateral series.

LAHORE:

Pakistan will tour Australia to participate in two tri-nation hockey tournaments prior to the Champions Trophy with the events including India as well as the hosts.

The tour, starting in October, will see Pakistan play a three-match series followed by the two tri-nation tournaments, one of which will feature nine players per side. This tournament will also see a few other innovations being introduced, including reduced playing time and smaller hockey fields.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Asif Bajwa said that the innovations in the game will be a positive development for the sport.

"The PHF welcomes these initiatives to induct energy into the game," said Bajwa. "I believe that with the new format, hockey will be modernised and can attract more viewers. We currently have an extensive European tour lined up but the Australian tour is well-placed to serve as good preparation for the Champions Trophy."

Pakistan's European tour kicks off in Ireland on June 20 where they will face France, China and the hosts in a four-nation tournament. The Greenshirts will then head to the Netherlands to participate in the Robo Bank hockey tournament.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2011.