Black Sticks face Pakistan

The Black Sticks men’s hockey team will play Pakistan in five tests in New Zealand next month.

The series, which is the Black Sticks’ first action in 2017, will see three tests at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington ( March 17, 18, 20) and two games at Clareville in the Wairarapa (March 22 and 23).

The tests come on the heels of the appointment of former Kiwi international Darren Smith as new head coach of the men’s programme.

Meanwhile, the Black Sticks women were beaten 3-0 by Argentina in their third test in Buenos Aires yesterday.

After beating Argentina 1-0 on Wednesday, the Black Sticks couldn’t match the speed and tempo of their hosts who now lead the six-test series 2-1.

The Black Sticks again created some strong chances but weren’t able to convert them.

The Black Sticks play Argentina in the fourth test today.