WAGENER STADIUM, 29 August, 2026 — News Desk: Pakistan secured 11th place at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after defeating South Africa 4-3 in a penalty shootout in the classification match on Friday. The result marks Pakistan’s best World Cup finish in two decades. The Green Shirts had finished 12th in the 2010 and 2018 editions, while their best-ever result remains sixth place in 2006. South Africa took an early lead, but Pakistan fought back to level the score at 2-2 before halftime. Both teams exchanged goals in the second half, with Pakistan’s Muhammad Hammaduddin scoring in the final minute to make it 4-4 and force a penalty shootout. Pakistan held their nerve in the shootout, with Ammad Butt scoring the decisive final penalty to seal a dramatic victory and confirm 11th place.