In the match in Perth, the Green Shirts showed great skill and tactics in defeating the world champions.
WATERLOO, ON, CANADA: The news that Pakistan had defeated world champion Australia in a tri-nation hockey tournament in Perth provided much-needed respite for the whole country, on a day when three national cricketers were sentenced to jail for involvement in spot-fixing.
In the match in Perth, the Green Shirts showed great skill and tactics in defeating the world champions. When he keeps his temper under check, Shakeel Abbasi is the best forward in the world. Perhaps a recent ban on him, imposed for losing his temper, may have worked and provided him with time for rest and introspection into the way he approaches his game.
Pakistan also needs to start working on indoor hockey at the school level. If that is done nationwide, it could have a massive impact on our progress as far as hockey is concerned and we could regain our top ranking in our national sport.
Salman Elahi
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2011.
