A two-week training camp in Islamabad was held to prepare the squad for a nine-a-side International Super Hockey Series that also features arch-rivals India, New Zealand and the hosts. Pakistan will play five matches against Australia and two against India in a bid to finalise their combination for the year-ending Champions Trophy.
Team manager Khwaja Junaid believed that his players were ready for the tour ahead of tougher assignments.
“The players worked hard in the training camp and our fitness levels have also improved,” Junaid told The Express Tribune.
“Facing Australia will help bring out our weaknesses. It’s our last tour before the Champions Trophy and hopefully we’ll learn a lot from it.”
Format to help players
Junaid supported the tournament’s format, terming it a good improvisation, which will ensure high-scoring matches.
“It’s a demanding format in which every player needs to be on his toes. It will also help improve their fitness.”
The format also sees a bigger goal, the game comprising four sessions instead of two and one forward forced to play in a defensive position.
‘Pakistan, a balanced side’
Meanwhile, the manager added that his team was close to becoming a formidable unit.
“We’re going with a balanced side and experienced goal-keeper Salman Akber’s absence is not a concern since Imran Shah has been performing well.
We also have Sohail Abbas back and hopefully regular captain Mohammad Imran will recover soon.”
Shakeel Abbasi will lead the side as Imran recovers from malaria.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2011.
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Good to see the experienced players back in the side, along with some fresh faces - a happy balance. Now we just need some good performances, to bring back some semblence of the glory days.....when we used to be world, olympic, asian cup and champions trophy winners! Those were the days...! Come on Pakistan, let's get some glory back in our hockey again.