The prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament is set to commence next month, featuring Pakistan in five group stage matches.
This marks the 30th edition of the annual event held in Malaysia. The hosts clinched victory for the first time in 2022 and are poised to defend their title this year. The tournament will witness the participation of six teams, including New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, and hosts Malaysia, vying for the coveted championship.
Pakistan kicks off the tournament against hosts Malaysia on May 4, followed by matches against South Korea on May 5 and Japan on May 7. Additionally, Canada and New Zealand will face Pakistan on May 8 and May 10, respectively. Notably, New Zealand is the sole team in the tournament set to appear in the Paris Olympics 2024.
The tournament's format will see the top two teams battling it out in the final, while the third and fourth-placed teams compete for third place. Furthermore, the bottom two teams will vie for fifth place, ensuring all teams receive prize money regardless of their tournament finish.
Pakistan has a storied history in the Azlan Shah Cup, securing victory three times in 1999, 2000, and 2003. However, their standout performance in the last two decades occurred in 2011 when they emerged as runners-up against Australia following a hard-fought 3-2 defeat in extra time.