Karachi: A proposed bilateral hockey Test series between India and Pakistan has been postponed indefinitely owing to sponsorship problems.
Pakistan Hockey Federation Secretary Akhtar-ul-Islam said new dates for the series would be announced soon.
"We had planned eight Tests, four each in India and Pakistan, sometime in March and April. But the Indian hockey officials informed us that due to the cricket World Cup they were not finding proper sponsorship for the matches to be there," Islam said on Wednesday.
"They wanted the series to be held in May but we are committed to playing in the Azlan Shah tournament at that time. So, most probably the series would now be held later this year," he said.
Islam said the new management for the Pakistan team would be announced later this week with former captain and Olympian Islahuddin Siddique tipped to take over as coach until the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
"I can confirm the appointments would be local and no foreigner is involved in it," he said.
Pakistan is also due to host the Champions Trophy this December in Lahore and Islam admitted Australia had expressed some reservations over coming to Pakistan.
"But neither Australia nor any other team has refused to play in the tournament. As far as we are concerned, the International Hockey Federation will confirm the participating teams to us," he said.
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