Pakistan assistant coach Adnan Zaker has said the national side will have nothing to lose and face no pressure when it takes on arch-rival India in their crucial 2026 Hockey World Cup encounter on Wednesday.
Pakistan will face India on August 19 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, with both sides looking to advance to the next stage of the tournament.
Speaking to Geo News, Zaker acknowledged India’s significant investment in hockey, noting that the hosts have a 14-member coaching staff.
“India have made a significant investment in their hockey, while we still need time,” Zaker said. “However, the match against India will be 50-50. We have nothing to lose. The pressure will be on India.”
Pakistan captain Abu Bakar said the team had already faced India twice in the Pro League and would seek to learn from its mistakes in those encounters.
He expressed hope that Pakistan would produce a better performance against India in the World Cup.
Striker Rana Waheed said the team was fully aware of the importance of the contest and remained confident of securing victory.
“It is true that we should have won against Wales, but that did not happen. However, we believe we can beat India,” Waheed said.
Pakistan head coach Bob John Vald-Felt also described India as a strong side and said his team was prepared for a difficult encounter.
“If we beat India in the World Cup and qualify for the next stage, it will certainly be a very big victory,” he said.