Kuala Lumpur, June 20 – Pakistan pulled off a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory against France in the Nations Hockey Cup semi-final, but it was captain Ammad Butt’s controversial post-match remark that stole the spotlight.
Shortly after the win, Butt posted an Instagram story with the caption “Rafale down again” – a cheeky reference to Pakistan’s past claims of downing French-made Indian Rafale jets. The remark, seen as a dig at France amid historical military tensions, quickly went viral before being deleted.
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A Nail-Biting Clash
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions. France dominated early, scoring in the 10th minute and extending their lead to 2-0 in the third quarter. However, Pakistan staged a stunning comeback with Rana Waheed Ashraf netting a goal in the 33rd minute, followed by Sufiyan Muqeem’s penalty strike to level the score.
Ashraf struck again minutes later, putting Pakistan ahead 3-2, but France’s Charlotte Victor silenced Pakistani fans with a last-second equalizer, forcing a shootout.
Goalkeeper Muneeb ur Rehman turned hero, saving three French attempts, while Afraz, Shahid Hanan, and Waheed held their nerve to secure Pakistan’s spot in the final against New Zealand on June 21.
The victory keeps Pakistan’s hopes alive for their first major international hockey title in years. However, Butt’s social media jab has sparked debate, overshadowing what was otherwise a memorable sporting triumph.
