NZ outplay Pak to win Nations Cup

New Zealand emerged victorious in the final of the FIH Nations Cup by 6-2 on Saturday, defeating Pakistan to secure the coveted title and a place in the next season of the FIH Pro League.

New Zealand made a spirited start to the summit clash as they found the back of the net twice but were disallowed on both occasions.

They eventually struck their first goal in the sixth minute as Scott Coslett successfully converted the penalty corner. New Zealand doubled their lead in the last minute of the first quarter, courtesy of a precise field goal by Sam Hiha.

They were even more ruthless in the subsequent quarter as they netted their third through Dylan Thomas within two minutes.

Sean Findlay scored a sensational field goal in the next minute, putting New Zealand in complete control, while Scott Boyde made it 5-0 with just under four minutes to the halftime.

Pakistan eventually scored their first goal in the fifth minute of the third quarter when Zikriya Hayat breached New Zealand's defence to smash the ball at the back of the net.

The green shirts got five penalty corners in the penultimate quarter but failed to convert, meaning the scoreline remained intact at 5-1.

The final quarter saw both teams going hard at each other and it appeared that the scoreline would remain intact but New Zealand were awarded a penalty corner, which Coslett converted comprehensively.

Pakistan also scored in the next minute with Sufyan Khan converting a penalty corner but it was far from enough to pull Pakistan back as New Zealand registered a thumping 6-2 victory.

The victory propelled New Zealand to the FIH Pro League.

Pak hockey captain wants Asia Cup shifted from India

Pakistan hockey captain Imad Shakeel Butt has raised serious concerns about the upcoming 2025 Men's Hockey Asia Cup, calling on the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to shift the event away from India due to ongoing political tensions between the two countries.

The tournament, scheduled to be held from August 27 to September 7, 2025, in Rajgir, Bihar, serves as a direct qualifier for the 2026 Hockey World Cup and, for Pakistan, it's a vital opportunity to secure a spot on global hockey's biggest stage.

But the captain fears the political climate could affect fair participation.

"The Asia Cup is crucial for us. Given the current political situation, we strongly believe the venue should be reconsidered to ensure fair participation and a neutral environment," said Imad Butt while addressing the media on Wednesday.

His statement comes amid growing uncertainty over whether Pakistan will even be granted entry into India for the tournament. Reports, though not officially confirmed, have suggested that Indian authorities may delay or deny visas to the Pakistani team, citing security reasons.

The 2025 Hockey Asia Cup is not the only sporting event expected to come under scrutiny due to Pakistan-India tensions. The 2025 Cricket Asia Cup is also under a cloud, while the Women's ODI World Cup is expected to carry high tensions as it is set to take place in India as well.

Pakistan and India share an intense rivalry in hockey, but off-field politics have frequently cast a shadow on their matchups. With just a few months to go before the Asia Cup, questions remain about whether the tournament can go ahead smoothly if hosted in India — particularly if Pakistan's participation is in doubt.

For now, all eyes are on the Asian Hockey Federation, as Pakistan awaits a decision that could impact their road to the 2026 World Cup.