A player from Pakistan’s national hockey team has expressed disappointment over the absence of head coach Tahir Zaman just before the crucial series.

According to team sources, both the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and Zaman should have worked out the issue through mutual understanding. The situation remained unresolved until mere hours before the team’s departure, which negatively impacted the players.

Sources revealed that Zaman’s presence with the team had been beneficial, and he should have shown more flexibility when dealing with the players.

Instead of demanding that late-arriving players be dropped, it would have been more effective to impose fines.

The sources further stated that personal differences could have been set aside for the good of the country, especially before such an important series.

While Zaman had suggested disciplinary action for two players who arrived late to camp, the PHF stepped in to prevent them from being dropped, opting instead to fine all the players who had been late.

As tensions grew between Zaman and PHF officials, the coach decided to resign, with Mohammad Usman being appointed as the new head coach for the team’s upcoming tour of Bangladesh.

In addition, sources confirmed that Zaman will not be available for the upcoming Spain tour, and the PHF is considering hiring a foreign coach for the Pro Hockey League.

The first match of the series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will take place on November 13 in Dhaka. The winner of this series will earn a spot in the World Cup qualifiers.