Islamabad, 10 November, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has launched a player selection process for the proposed National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) hockey team as part of efforts to revive the country’s national sport. Afridi, who serves as an adviser to NBP, visited Islamabad along with his sports team to begin identifying and shortlisting talented hockey players, according to a press release issued by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). The federation welcomed the initiative, describing the establishment of a permanent hockey team by a major national institution as a positive step towards strengthening the sport in Pakistan. The move is expected to create employment opportunities for emerging players and provide them with a professional environment to develop their skills and pursue long-term careers in hockey. The PHF emphasized that institutional support, job security and regular competitive opportunities are essential for restoring Pakistan’s position in international hockey. The player recruitment process is currently under way, although details regarding the squad size and future competition schedule have not yet been announced.