Mohsin Naqvi backs Pakistan hockey team after Australia tour fiasco, PCB steps in with monetary help: ‘Pakistan’s honour comes first’

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has come out in support of Pakistan hockey players amid the Australia tour fiasco and the suspension of captain Ammad Shakeel Butt. The whole controversy began with players lashing out at the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for “abandoning” them during the tour of Australia for the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025-26.

According to the players, they were forced to spend hours on the streets in Australia as no hotel was booked for them. They were also forced to cook for themselves and clean the utensils during their stay in an Airbnb.

Amid the serious allegations, PHF president Tariq Bugti sent his resignation to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, but he also suspended captain Ammad Shakeel Butt for two years.

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PCB, Naqvi extend support to Pakistani hockey players

The hockey players, however, have found support in the country’s Interior Minister, Naqvi, who is also PCB’s boss. He said on Thursday that Pakistan cricket will try to “accommodate” hockey players in every possible way.

“We will accommodate hockey players in every possible way. We will extend complete cooperation to streamline hockey affairs,” Naqvi said.

“You should focus only on the game. Pakistan’s honour comes first. We will not allow the country’s dignity to be compromised under any circumstances,” Naqvi told the hockey players in a meeting.

Naqvi also clarified on X that he is not taking over the charge at the Pakistan Hockey Federation, but will assist the players.

“I am not becoming Hockey Federation President, but we will assist players till this turmoil ends,” Naqvi wrote on X.

A PCB statement has also revealed that the cricket board distributed Pakistani rupees 1,000,000 to each player of the national team, according to Dawn.

Butt revealed after meeting Naqvi that his suspension will be reversed and PCB will help arrange a camp in Lahore to prepare for the Hockey World Cup qualifiers.