Squad announced with World Cup in mind

PHF finalises 18-man list for Hockey World League in Malaysia.

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) announced the 18-member squad for the Hockey World League (HWL) that is scheduled to start from June 29 in Malaysia.

Pakistan team coach Hanif Khan said the recalled seniors would prove to be of great help in the Greenshirts’ campaign at the tournament that also serves as the qualifying round for the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Men’s World Cup 2014 in the Netherlands.

Muhammad Imran was retained as captain while Umar Bhutta, Shakeel Abbasi and Rizwan Senior completed their comeback in the national squad after they were dropped for the Azlan Shah Cup in March.

The selectors and coaches have also included teenager Khalid Bhatti, who will be playing his first international tournament along with two other juniors. Meanwhile, Muhammad Irfan will replace senior player Waseem Ahmed who was ruled out of the HWL after suffering a shoulder injury.

Pakistan, placed in Pool B alongside England and South Africa besides the hosts, play their opening match of the tournament against Malaysia on June 29.

Pool A features Argentina, Germany, Korea and Japan.

“Our opening match will be the toughest one,” PHF head coach Akhtar Rasool told The Express Tribune. “Playing against the hosts is going to be challenging and will set the tone for us in the tournament.



“They are playing on their home-ground and are well-prepared — the conditions will suit them better. England will also pose a serious threat. But I’m hopeful that our team will perform well and qualify for the next round. The players have shown improvement and the seniors will have a lot of responsibility. However, I will miss Ahmed in the mid-field.”

‘Responsibility now on Abbasi, Shafqat’

Meanwhile, Hanif said that in the absence of Waseem the responsibility will now lie with Abbasi and Shafqat Rasool.

“Abbasi and Shafqat will play a crucial part in creating opportunities for a goal. We would need to score more in the tournament in order to qualify for the next round, but I’m confident that the players will not disappoint us. I’m satisfied with the preparations,” said Khan.

Akhtar and Khan conducted the national camp for the tournament in two phases for over a month. The team held training sessions in Abbottabad and Karachi respectively.

The squad will leave for Johor Baru today.

The top three teams at the HWL will qualify for the World Cup next year that will feature a total of 12 teams.

Pakistan squad

Muhammad Imran (c), Muhammad Waqas Sharif (vc), Imran Shah (gk), Imran Butt (gk), Muhammad Rizwan Senior, Fareed Ahmed, Rashid Mehmood, Shafqat Rasool, Abdul Haseem Khan, Muhammad Ateeq, Muhammad Irfan, Shakeel Abbasi, Khalid Bhatti,
Umer Bhutta, Abbas
Haider, Aamir Shehzad, Muhammad Tauseeq, Muhammad Zubair

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2013.

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