Pakistan ready for Asian rugby challenge

India, Lebanon and Uzbekistan to take part in regional event starting June 19.

KARACHI: Pakistan rugby captain Arsalan Zahid is confident that his team could surprise international competitors in the Asian Five Nations (A5N) Division III West Tournament that will get under way on Thursday.

The event will begin at the Punjab Stadium in Lahore, with teams coming from India, Lebanon and Uzbekistan for the regional title.

After being relegated from Division II last year, India are being touted as the strongest side in the upcoming event. Lebanon and Pakistan came forward from Division IV after finishing as the top two teams in the category’s final.

Although Pakistan had lost to Lebanon, Zahid – also known as Alex – feels that his team has the potential to beat their rivals this time.

“This game would definitely be about avenging the defeat in our last meeting,” Zahid told The Express Tribune. “I believe we have a lot of potential, and the weather will definitely help us. We’ve been training in 47 degrees Celsius here. We’ve heard that it will be too hot for Lebanon, so we have an edge.

“I hope we get to play India as well, and this time we can beat them in our own backyard.”

Zahid became the first Pakistani last year to play professional rugby at the Ipswich Rugby Football Club.

He impressed the UK club officials with his talent, and his team also progressed to London Division I from Division II.

“I joined the camp three weeks ago, and it has been great. Hopefully, my experience in the UK will help the national side too. Coach Roger Coombs has also been working hard with the players.”

Zahid has been living together with 25 other players at the camp in Lahore, and he feels that team unity will be a key factor in making a good squad.

“Our players are from Lahore RFC and Islamabad RFC. The rivalry between India and Pakistan is nothing compared to the rivalry between these two clubs. So in order to help the players bond with each other, we even went on paintball sessions and had regular dinners.

“We had to make sure that they feel compatible and have each other’s back.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2014.

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