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Pakistan Hockey Federation replaces head coach Colin Batch with ex Olympian Manzoor ul Hasan, players call move a shock, new selection committee and junior coach also named
(Credit: X)
In what has come as a “shock” to the players, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has decided to replace their current head coach, Australia’s Colin Batch, with former Olympian Manzoor ul Hasan for the upcoming FIH Pro Nations League and the World Cup.
Sources close to the players said they were stunned to learn that, instead of Batch, the PHF had gone ahead and named Manzoor as head coach.
Players Shocked By Change
Manzoor is a celebrated defender who played in the 1970s and 1980s. A player, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Wednesday that the PHF’s decision was a “recipe for disaster”.
“We were all happy that Colin Batch, who is a qualified coach and aware of modern-day hockey requirements, would be guiding us in two major events including the World Cup, and now we get this shock,” he said.
The interim PHF set-up also named a national selection committee headed by another celebrated Olympian, Samiullah Khan.
The other selectors include Naeem Akhtar, Kashif Jawad, Muhammad Khalid, Nasir Ali and Atif Bashir.
Players Want Foreign Coach
One source said the players, some of whom are currently away playing in foreign leagues, would soon try to speak to the interim President and convince him to hire a foreign coach.
Pakistan finally managed to qualify for the World Cupbeing held in Belgium and the Netherlands in August, after eight long years when they reached the final of a qualifying tournament in Egypt.
The PHF said in a notification that all appointments had been made on the recommendation of the PHF Professional Development Committee, which includes two celebrated former captains, Hasan Sardar and Islahuddin Siddiqui.
The PHF also named Ayaz Mahmood as head coach of the Pakistan junior team.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Karachi, Pakistan
April 08, 2026, 2:39 PM IST
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