Hockey Special Report: Waseem Ahmed, best left half defender c*m flicker of Pakistan
Waseem Ahmed, a legendary hockey player in the excellent mould is surely one the best players of the world if not then leastwise best left half performer of the world. Muhammad Waseem during his decade long career is recognised best player in many matches.
He is unmatched for his speed, energy and dodging techniques.
The legendary left half star and former captain of Pakistan Hockey team became the most capped midfielder as well the highest capped player of the country. He achieved 304 caps in the hockey following Shahbaz Ahmed Senior (303) and Tahir Zaman (252) caps.
Waseem Ahmed who is also known as Muhammad Waseem is extremely artful player and can leave the opponent attackers hitless with saturation of his dodges. He owns brilliant skills of positioning the defence and handling the ball. Likewise, he has also outstanding
skills of controlling the ball, furnishing passes to the attackers and creating distance from the opponents.
All time smiling face, Waseem Ahmed is universally applauded performer. He changed the style of Asian Hockey and playing at left half he also attacks the opponents. In Asian Style Hockey, the position of left half is considered to defend the attack but he
modified it likewise Naeem Akbar and Fazalur Rehman.
The legend left half star was born in Vehari, area of District Multan which is 570 KM far away from Lahore the provincial metropolis of Punjab. He started his international career from 1996 Champions Trophy held in Chennai, India.
Legend start delivered outstanding performance in his 200th match against rival arch India, where they defeated India with 4-2 score. He also scored golden goal on the penalty corner when the game was equal at 2-2 score.
Waseem also captained the squad in two tournaments including Pak-India Test Hockey Series and in Lahore Champions Trophy in 2004. First time Pakistani squad under his leadership chased the arch rival in test series while it acquired bronze medal in the home
ground Champions Trophy.
Muhammad Waseem was part of the squad, which won silver medals in Champions Trophy 1996, and 1998. Apart from these successes, he also took part in Champions Trophies of 2002, 2003, and 2004, where they won bronze medal. He also participated in 1997, 1999
and 2001 editions of Champions trophy.
The left half player also played from Pakistan side in World Cup 1998, 2002, 2006 and as well in 2010 besides Olympics of 2000 and 2004. He represented the team and acquired silver medals in Asia Cups. Left half master was too in the national team, which
won three Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cups.
Waseem Ahmed is the second Pakistani hockey player who played four consecutive World Cups from 1998 to 2010 and proved himself the most capped achiever of the country. He has also honour to play the World XI along with the Sohail Abbas in 1999 on the occasion
of 75th anniversary of International Hockey Federation (FIH) against Netherland.
As vice captain of the junior team, he also made possible to win Junior Hockey Asia Cup in 1996 and also obtained gold medal in Under-18 event of International Federation in 1995-96.
The former skipper, Waseem Ahmed announced his retirement from the hockey in 2004 following the Champions Trophy, however rejoined the national team in World Cup 2006 over the request of seniors. He is also part of present squad and hopefully will delivers
his best performance in the upcoming Asian Games, which are starting from November 12 in China. It may be the last world event of his career.
Thus, it is good chance for former skipper, Waseem Ahmed to end his career by giving a major victory to the country to boost the level of national game, which is in declining phase due to humiliating performance of the team.
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