AMSTELVEEN, Netherlands: In a nerve-shredding classification match that ebbed and flowed with incredible drama, four-time champions Pakistan secured an enthralling 4-3 victory over South Africa after a tense penalty shootout to finish 11th in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Stadium on Friday.
The hard-fought 11th-place finish marks the Green Shirts’ best performance in the tournament in 20 years. Pakistan had previously secured 12th spot in the 2010 and 2018 editions, while failing to qualify in 2014 and 2023. Their last top-half finish came at the 2006 World Cup when they secured sixth place.
🇵🇰🏑 WHAT A COMEBACK! PAKISTAN WIN ON SHOOT-OUT! 🔥
Pakistan produced a sensational comeback in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Classification Round, defeating South Africa 4–3 in a penalty shoot-out after an action-packed contest ended 4–4 in regulation time. pic.twitter.com/S71Xb0AYWi
— Pakistan Hockey Federation (@PakHockeyFed) August 28, 2026
The match got off to a turbulent start for Pakistan, as South Africa drew first blood in the eighth minute through Trevor de Lora. The Proteas doubled their lead early in the second quarter when Dayaan Cassiem found the net, putting the Asian side under severe pressure.
However, Pakistan displayed immense resilience with a remarkable comeback in the second quarter. Goals from Afraz and Mohammad Ammad neutralized the deficit, sending the teams into the halftime break locked at 2-2.
The momentum shifted in Pakistan’s favor when Rana Waheed Ashraf pulled the team ahead in the second minute of the penultimate quarter. But the lead was short-lived, as Mustaphaa Cassiem struck for South Africa in the 40th minute to level the scores at 3-3 heading into the final period.
Pakistan beat South Africa to finish 11th at the FIH Hockey World Cup, their best finish in 20 years. https://t.co/HqvP1J5Tpk
— The Pakistan (@thepakistan2021) August 29, 2026
The last quarter saw both teams make desperate attempts to break the deadlock, and it was South Africa who seemed to have stolen the victory when Mustaphaa converted a penalty corner in the 55th minute to give the Proteas a 4-3 lead. Yet, Pakistan refused to surrender, mounting a sensational final charge as Muhammad Hammaduddin struck in the very last minute of regulation time to make it 4-4, forcing the tie into a dramatic penalty shootout.
Shootout drama
The shootout was a rollercoaster of emotions. Mustaphaa, who scored a brace in normal time, successfully converted the first attempt for South Africa, while Zikriya Hayat immediately answered for Pakistan to keep the scores level at 1-1. The two teams remained inseparable after their next attempts, with South Africa’s Calvin Davis and Pakistan’s Umar Mustafa both scoring from the spot.
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The momentum swung wildly when Hans Neethling and Jamie Seales fumbled South Africa’s subsequent attempts. Hannan Shahid capitalised for Pakistan, burying his stroke to give the Green Shirts a 3-2 lead.
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Pakistan needed Rana Waheed Ashraf to convert the penalty stroke to clinch the match, but he faltered under pressure. Mustaphaa, stepping up for South Africa’s last attempt, held his nerve and scored to make it 3-3, leaving Pakistan with one final attempt.
It all came down to veteran former captain Ammad Butt. With the weight of the nation on his shoulders, Butt held his nerve calmly under immense pressure, burying the ball into the back of the net to seal a 4-3 shootout win and secure 11th place for Pakistan.
