What Went Wrong for Pakistan in the Nations Cup Final?

June 22, 2025: Pakistan’s hopes of returning to the FIH Pro League were dashed in brutal fashion as they suffered a 6-2 thrashing at the hands of New Zealand in the final of the FIH Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

The Kiwis, who also won last year’s edition, secured back-to-back titles and a coveted Pro League spot with a dominant display, led by a five-goal first-half blitz that left Pakistan chasing shadows.

Also Read: “Very Disappointing”: Sunil Gavaskar Slams Yashasvi Jaiswal in First Test vs England

Despite having two early goals disallowed, New Zealand kept the pressure on and eventually broke through with Scott Cosslett converting a penalty corner. Sam Hiha made it 2-0 soon after, capitalising on a well-placed pass from Jonty Elmes.

The floodgates opened in the second quarter. Dylan Thomas reacted fastest to a rebound to slot in the third, Sean Findlay fired home a spectacular fourth from a tight angle, and Scott Boyde added a fifth just before the break as Pakistan’s defence crumbled.

Pakistan managed a brief resurgence in the second half when Moin Shakeel scored in the 33rd minute, and Sufyan Khan added a late consolation, but Cosslett’s second penalty corner goal sealed the emphatic win for the Black Sticks.

New Zealand’s Nic Woods was named player of the match and expressed his delight, saying, “It’s nice to have one of those games where things just come together… very happy it happened in the final.”

In other placement matches, France edged Korea in a shootout to claim bronze, Wales beat hosts Malaysia to finish fifth, and Japan overcame South Africa to take seventh place.