Jason Lee’s team will take on the three times Olympic champions as they continue their preparations ahead of this summer’s EuroHockey Nations Championships in Amsterdam. 

 

The head coach said: “The clash between Pakistan’s Asian style of hockey and England’s European style should be very interesting for the spectators.

 

"These matches will form an important part of England’s build up to this summer’s European Nations Championships.”

 

The matches, staged with the support of Staffordshire County Council, should prove to be close encounters with Pakistan having recently leapfrogged England into sixth in world rankings as a result of their second place finish at the Asia Cup.

 

England are ranked seventh.

 

Lee said: “I am sure Pakistan will be warmly welcomed and well supported, which should make the games very special occasions. I’d like to thank Pakistan for coming and Staffordshire County Council and Cannock Hockey Club for their support in what I am sure will be an entertaining set of matches."

 

The first match will take place on June 30 and be followed by games on July 2 and 3.

 

England’s last competitive clash with Pakistan came in the fifth place playoff at the 2006 World Cup in Mönchengladbach, Germany, when a 67th minute goal from Martin Jones proved decisive, netting England fifth place.

 

The Pakistan matches mark a return for international hockey to Cannock for the first time since August 2006 when England's women played Germany and the men Netherlands.

 

The club has continued to develop its facilities with the recent installation of 400 seats, which will be on show for the Pakistan series.

 

David Linford, the President of Cannock Hockey Club said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to host this important international test series.

 

"Over the last few years we have invested heavily in our facilities which now include a second international standard hockey pitch which will host its first international game when England meet Pakistan for this series.”

 

Ron Hilton, the chief executive of Staffordshire County Council said: “We are delighted to welcome the England and Pakistan hockey teams to Staffordshire.

 

"We are proud of our county and its hockey facility.

 

"These games will provide an ideal opportunity for our local communities to enjoy international hockey on home turf once again.”

 

Tickets for the matches are on sale from the England Hockey website at www.englandhockey.co.uk/pakistan.