12 Mar 2010

Pakistan hockey team retires

6:21 am on 12 March 2010

Pakistan's entire World Cup hockey squad have announced their international retirement after finishing last at the 12-team tournament in Delhi.

Pakistan lost 3-2 to Canada this morning which condemned them to 12th place, their worst ever showing at the tournament.

Earlier, the Paksitan Hockey Federation said it had sacked coach Shahid Ali Khan as well as the team manager and selection committee.

Pakistan have won the World Cup 3 times, the last time in 1994.

Hockey is the national game of Pakistan but the national side's fortunes in recent years have been in decline with the team having to qualify for the World Cup last year.