Greenshirts ready to win Sultan Azlan Shah Cup; says Pakistan Hockey skipper Muhammad Imran
The Men’s hockey team of Pakistan is committed to finish on the podium in the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup which plans to start in Malaysian city of Ipoh on May 05, 2011. Muhammad Imran, the newly appointed skipper, of the Pakistan hockey squad
is optimistic about strength of the Greenshirts.
Muhammad Imran was replaced with Zeeshan Ashraf for the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament after the later withdrew to take part in the event in a bid to promote youngsters in the international hockey. Imran was of the view that the squad was sitting
on a high momentum after winning the gold medal in the Asiad held last year in China's city of Guangzhou.
Imran while speaking to the media said that the players are improving their game, adding that they would surely deliver impressive results. Pakistan is scheduled to face New Zealand on May 05, in the first game of the tournament. Following the first contest,
the Greenshirts will face South Korea on May 06, Great Britain on May 08, defending Champions Australia on May 09, India on May 11, and the host Malaysia on May 14.
The selection committee of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) under the leadership of Junaid Khan picked an eighteen-member squad for the forthcoming Malaysia-based tournament. The announced line-up is comprised of senior players and as well as new faces.
Among the experienced hockey pros, Shakeel Abbasi, Rehan Butt, Waseem Ahmed and Sohail Abbas are prominent names. These were the names those displayed impressive performances in the Asian Games and made the gold medal possible for the Greenshirts.
Shakeel Abbasi, the vice-captain of the squad, along with the other two players Rehan Butt and Waseem Ahmed were issued show-cause notices and in connections with the Indian rebel league namely Word Series Hockey (WSH). However, the suspected players were
cleared in the allegations after they assured the federation that they had no links with the rebel league.
The Greenshirts line-up announced for the Azlan Shah Cup is comprised of Muhammad Imran, Sohail Abbas, Shakeel Abbasi, Imran Shah, Fareed Ahmed, Kashif Shah, Mohammad Tauseeq, Rehan Butt, Waqas Akber, Waqas Sharif Mohammad Zubair, Umer Bhutta, Mohammad Rashid,
Haseem Khan, Mohammad Rashid, Muhammad Imran Junior, Kashif Javed, Waseem Ahmed and Rizwan Junior.
In the meantime, Pakistan Interior Minister, Rehman Malik has informed the media that both the neighbouring countries would play a bi-lateral series by this year. In a twitter update, he stated that the both sides would play three matches in each country
in a bid to reinstate the sports ties. Following the cricket diplomacy, both countries are trying to recuperate the bilateral sports ties, he added.
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