'Had to wash dishes before going to play': Pakistan hockey captain Shakeel slams federation over Australia ordeal

The team had to wait for hours and roamed the streets before an accommodation was arranged for them.

Pakistan hockey captain Shakeel Ammad Butt has lashed out the national federation after returning from a tumultuous tour of Australia during which his side did not just have to roam the streets for lack of accommodation, but also "wash dishes before going to play a match".

Butt told the media at Lahore Airport that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had been telling them lies and "enough was enough".

"We can't work with this current management of the federation. When players have to clean the kitchen and wash dishes before going to play a match what result do you expect from us?" a livid Butt asked angrily.

The PHF has drawn flak after the state-run Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) confirmed it had given them more than 10 million rupees to arrange hotel accommodation of the national team in Australia.

The Pakistan hockey team had to wait for 13-14 hours at Sydney airport before their onward flight to Canberra. More disturbing reports came in when the team checked into its hotel ahead of the FIH Pro League matches.

The players were told that they had no bookings since no advance payment was made to the hotel management.

The players had to wait for hours and roamed the streets before an accommodation was arranged for them. The next afternoon, they had to play their first match against Australia which the team lost 2-3.

"What was pathetic was that even the accommodation was arranged for 10 days when we had to stay for 13 days. We had to move into a cheaper residence after 10-days," Butt said.

The PSB Director-General Noor us Sabah told the media that they were preparing a detailed report for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the chief patron of PHF after he ordered an inquiry into the whole fiasco.

Butt disclosed that the PHF had warned the players of disciplinary action if they spoke to the media.

"I'm speaking up because of what we've been through in Australia," he said.

For the records, Pakistan lost all the four matches that they played in the FIH Pro League.

(with inputs from agencies)