According to details, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is considering sending a team of youngsters for the continental event where the Greenshirts will be up against defending champions India, as well as Malaysia, South Korea, China and Japan.
While the Asian Hockey Federation is yet to confirm the schedule, the event is expected to be held in October or November, prior to the FIH Champions Trophy in December. Pakistan finished seventh in the Olympics, drawing flak about the progress of the hockey team that won its last medal in 1992 with a third-place finish at the Barcelona Games.
A top official of the PHF said seniors, including penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt, Mohammad Imran and Shakeel Abbasi, will be sidelined.
“It’s almost finalised that we will drop the seniors and go for a new-look team,” the official told The Express Tribune. “The event is comparatively easy and it will give a clearer picture of the youngsters’ capability.”
While the official tipped Waqas Sharif as the new captain, he added that the decision will be confirmed following the team management’s report on the Olympics campaign.
“There’s a chance, albeit very little, that one or two seniors will escape being overlooked.”
The official, however, refused to declare that the likely snub will end the seasoned campaigners’ international careers.
“It will depend on the results of the Asian Champions Trophy.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 30th, 2012.
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