LAHORE, June 20 -- Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Shakil Butt has been denied a United Kingdom visa and will miss the national team's upcoming matches in England during the final leg of the FIH Pro League, dealing a fresh setback to Pakistan hockey.

According to sources, Ammad will not accompany the squad for the remaining four Pro League fixtures scheduled from June 23 to 27. Pakistan are currently competing in Belgium, where they are facing Belgium and Spain in the penultimate stage of the tournament and have struggled for form, losing three of their first four matches.

Sources indicated that the visa refusal may be linked to an alleged overstay in the UK during 2022-23. Ammad reportedly remained in England beyond the legal six-month p...