AMSTERDAM: Pakistan secured 11th position at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over South Africa in the classification match at Wagener Stadium on Friday.
The result gave the Green Shirts their best World Cup finish in two decades. Pakistan had ended the 2010 and 2018 editions in 12th place, while they failed to qualify for the 2014 and 2023 tournaments. Their best-ever finish remains sixth place at the 2006 World Cup.
South Africa Take Early Control
South Africa made a strong start to the match, taking the lead in the eighth minute through Trevor de Lora. Dayaan Cassiem then extended the advantage three minutes into the second quarter, putting Pakistan under early pressure.
Pakistan responded strongly before halftime, with Afraz and Mohammad Ammad finding the net to bring the score level at 2-2 heading into the break.
Back-and-Forth Second Half
Rana Waheed Ashraf put Pakistan ahead early in the third quarter, but South Africa hit back through Mustaphaa Cassiem in the 40th minute to restore parity.
The closely contested final quarter produced further drama. Mustaphaa converted a penalty corner in the 55th minute to put South Africa ahead again, but Pakistan refused to give up.
Muhammad Hammaduddin scored in the final minute of regulation time to make it 4-4 and send the contest into a penalty shootout.
Shootout Decides Classification Match
Mustaphaa converted South Africa’s opening penalty, while Zikriya Hayat replied for Pakistan. Calvin Davis and Umar Mustafa also scored their respective penalties, keeping the teams level after two attempts each.
South Africa then missed its next two efforts through Hans Neethling and Jamie Seales, while Hannan Shahid converted for Pakistan to put the Green Shirts ahead 3-2.
Rana Waheed Ashraf had the chance to seal victory but missed his attempt. Mustaphaa subsequently scored to level the shootout at 3-3.
The decisive moment came when former Pakistan captain Ammad Butt stepped up for the final attempt and calmly converted to give Pakistan a dramatic victory and an 11th-place finish.
