Ashraf to miss rest of the tour

Zeeshan Ashraf picked up a hamstring injury in the match against Belgium.

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey captain Zeeshan Ashraf will miss the remainder of the team’s tour of Europe because of a hamstring injury he picked up in the match against Belgium.

The tour, part of the team’s preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games that take place in New Delhi next month, has three matches remaining.

The 35-year-old fullback was hurt during the 5-3 loss last Wednesday and according to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Ashraf’s injury will keep him away from action for at least two weeks.

“The injury will not deter me from representing Pakistan in the Commonwealth Games,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune.

According to the captain, he has undergone treatment in Holland and will begin light training in a week.

“It’s upsetting for the team that he’ll miss all the crucial training sessions on the tour,” said assistant coach Ahmed Alam.

“He’s been an important player for the team but we’re trying to manage without him. We won a match against the German club last Thursday but overall the team feels bad about it.”

Mohammad Imran has replaced Ashraf as the captain.

Published in The Express Tribune September 15^th, 2010.