Pakistan Hockey Star Wins Magic Skill Award at FIH Hockey World Cup

Pakistan forward Abdul Rehman emerged victorious at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026, earning the men's Magic Skill Award. This prestigious accolade was bestowed upon him following Pakistan's encounter with Wales, where Rehman showcased his exceptional 3D skills. During the match, Rehman dazzled the crowd by effortlessly dribbling past four defenders before striking the ball cleanly to score a spectacular goal.

This awe-inspiring feat garnered significant fan support, securing 44% of the total votes in the men's category. Rehman edged out Kenton Melville, who also delivered an audacious goal, earning 39% of the votes. The FIH Global Supplier Polytan, the esteemed Poligras Magic Skill Award's sponsor, presents this award to recognize extraordinary talent, creativity, and innovative skills displayed by hockey players on the global stage.

The award spanned both men's and women's categories, with six moments shortlisted for the recognition. In the women's competition, India's goalkeeper Bichu Devi Karibam claimed the award for a remarkable reflex save during the final minute of the match against England. Her crucial intervention contributed to India's qualification from the pool stage, ultimately leading them to finish fifth in the tournament, their best Women's World Cup performance in 52 years.

The 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup stood out as a testament to attacking flair, goalkeeping brilliance, and innovation in modern hockey. Rehman's award came after Pakistan's memorable campaign, which concluded with an 11th-place finish – the team's best result in 20 years. Pakistan's Pool D journey commenced with a 4-1 loss to England on August 15, followed by a 3-3 draw against Wales two days later.

They suffered a 5-3 defeat against arch-rivals India in their final pool match on August 19, ultimately failing to advance to the knockout stage. Despite this setback, Pakistan advanced to the classification stage, where they defeated Japan 4-3 on August 22, keeping their campaign alive. They narrowly missed out on the knockout round after falling to New Zealand 4-2 on August 24.

Pakistan's tournament concluded with a hard-fought 4-3 penalty shootout victory over South Africa in the 11th-place playoff, securing their best-ever finish since 2006. This triumph marked a significant improvement from their 12th-place finish in 2010 and 2018, as well as their absence from the 2014 and 2023 World Cups.