LAHORE: Pakistan national hockey team on Monday left for their tour of New Zealand and Australia, said a spokesman for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). The team will be playing a bilateral series with two countries. “Matches in New Zealand will be held between March 17 and March 23, while the Australian leg of the tour will start on March 28,” added the spokesman. Australia are currently ranked as the world’s top hockey team as per International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings while New Zealand are ranked 8th. “The experience gained during these two series will help Pakistan prepare for the all important Hockey World League’s semi finals to be held in London in June this year which doubles up as the 2018 World Cup qualifier,” said the spokesman. Abdul Haseem Khan is the skipper for the team with Umar Bhutta is his deputy.