Ashraf ready for World Series Hockey again

Former Pakistan captain not contacted by PHF yet.,

LAHORE: Snubbed from the national squad for almost a year and barred from taking part in the National Hockey Championship, former Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf is gearing up to take part in the inaugural World Series Hockey (WSH) that will now take place from February 29.

The 34-year-old will represent Karnataka in the tournament.

“There will be a 15-day camp before the WSH,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “I will leave for India in the middle of February.”

Ashraf will be accompanied by Adnan Maqsood who will also feature in the event.

Meanwhile, the defender said that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), which barred players from taking part in the unsanctioned league earlier, had not contacted him regarding his participation in the event.

“No PHF official has contacted me since the tournament got postponed. I’m available to play for Pakistan if they need me but I can’t do things according to the PHF. The PHF wants to pick young blood for the Olympics but someone needs to tell them that the team works better with a combination of experience and fresh talent.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2012.