Ashraf rues lack of talent in Pakistan

Pakistan hockey captain feels new players lack the maturity and temperament is required at the international level.

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey captain Zeeshan Ashraf feels that the new players participating in the National Hockey Championship lack the maturity and temperament that is required at the international level.

The 35-year-old full-back enjoys more power in the team than any other captain following the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) decision to empower the captain, coach and manager with the task of selecting players for tournaments.

“It is good to know that now a captain gets to say what he wants,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “This year I am observing the players very closely and I get to judge their game in a better way since I play against them.

“So far I haven’t seen any extra-ordinary player. There is no dearth of talent in Pakistan but I can say that the new players lack the required skills.”

According to Ashraf, who represents National Bank of Pakistan, the new players can be tested in the Azlan Shah Cup that will take place in May.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2011.