National goal-keeper Salman Akbar to miss Australian tour due to Dutch club commitments
Salman Akbar, the seasoned custodian of the Pakistan national hockey team, will not travel with the team for the upcoming Australian tour due to his commitment with his Dutch club for the running season.
The Greenshirts will feature in a test match series against the reigning World Champions, the Kookaburras, besides a three-nation nine-a-side tournament where they will be up against the traditional-rivals, India, along with the hosts. The tour will stretch
from October 20 to November 3.
Salman Akbar along with Sohail Abbas, the penalty corner specialist, have been recalled in the training camp for the Australian tour as the two had been overlooked by Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) earlier for the first edition of the Asian Champions Trophy
in China where the Greenshirts lost to India in the final of the event.
Salman Akbar stated that he is training hard for the Champions Trophy.
“I can’t play in Australia since it’s clashing with my Dutch league matches. However I will take part in the national camp for the Champions Trophy next month,” Salman Akbar stated about his future plan during his interview to The Express Tribune.
“I have been in constant touch with the coach Michel van den Heuvel and I have assured the PHF that I am available for the Champions Trophy,” Salman Akbar further added.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has picked Imran Butt as reserve goal-keeper for the Australian assignment after accepting Salman Akbar’s explanation. Hanif Khan, the former Olympian and the PHF chief selector, stated that it will provide
youngsters a good opportunity to prepare themselves before further major assignments and key tournaments including the FIH Men’s Champions Trophy to be held in Auckland, New Zealand from December 3 to 11. The Greenshirts will have to face the challenge of
the World’s top hockey sides including Netherlands, Germany, Australia and Spain.
It will be interesting to see how Pakistan fares during their upcoming tour of Australia. The team had a tremendous Asian Champions Trophy in China and they will be looking to carry their winning momentum into their next tournament.
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