KARACHI: Pakistan’s preparations for the next year’s hockey World Cup have got a boost as the Netherlands have agreed to play a two-Test series against them at a neutral venue before the mega event.

The series will be played in Qatar as teams were still not willing to travel to Pakistan because of security reasons.

The matches would be held on January 20 and 21 and will be a good exposure for the players before the World Cup, to be held in New Delhi in February-March.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said it was trying to arrange more series against top ranked teams at venues in the Middle East.

“We are also working on proposals to play against England and India before the World Cup,” a PHF official said.

Pakistan are keen to play against India in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as they believe it would help them raise much needed revenues for the sport in the country.

As the PHF is headed by former Olympian, Qasim Zia who is a leading member of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party government, hockey has been getting financial boosts from the government since last year and just last week the Prime Minister released funds of around 20 million for the PHF.

The PHF official also said that there was a chance that Pakistan may play in a four-nation tournament in India before the World Cup.