Pakistan Hockey Team named for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Hockey News
The suspense ended as the national hockey team of Pakistan was named for the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, scheduled to be played from May 05 to 15, in Ipoh, Malaysia.
The selection committee of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) under the headship of Chief Selector, Hanif Khan, finalised the squad for the forth-coming mega event. Muhammad Imran has been appointed as skipper of the national squad in the Malaysia-based
tournament, because the former captain, Zeeshan Ashraf, opted to give youngsters a chance to take part in the international game.
The selection committee also included the suspected trio of Rehan Butt, Waseem Ahmed and Shakeel Abbasi in the national side, who were served show-cause notices for their alleged association with the Indian rebel league. However, the three legendary players
informed the federation in writing that they had not inked any contract with the unsanctioned league.
Despite having a number of senior players, Imran was named as the post of the skipper, who also served as deputy to Zeeshan Ashraf.
Hanif Khan, the Chief Selector of the Greenshirts, while speaking to the media said that the team was named keeping in view the 2012 London Olympics. He further stated that Imran was showing impressive performance in the trials and he will be right choice
at this post. He said, “It is the best pool of players available considering the fitness levels. It includes seniors who can represent Pakistan at the Olympics. In terms of fitness, the squad is better than the one that won gold in the Asian Games. Imran is
performing well and is the best choice.”
However, the defence-line of the team will surely miss the legendary defender, Zeeshan Ashraf, who was replaced with Syed Kashif Shah. Khan maintained that it would be good substitute for the former captain.
Shakeel Abbasi, the legendary hockey player, has been named as vice-captain while the world’s highest goal-scorer, Sohail Abbas, was also selected in the national side. Muhammad Irfan Junior will be player of right-flank, while Kashif Shah will cover the
full-back position. Muhammad Imran Junior will be placed at the left-flank position. Imran Shah has been selected as the only goal-keeper in the squad for the tournament while the quicksilver winger, Shafqat Rasool, was dropped after he failed to recover from
a viral disease.
The squad of the Greenshirts for the upcoming event will comprise of Muhammad Imran (Skipper), Imran Shah (Goalkeeper), Shakeel Abbasi, Rehan Butt, Sohail Abbas, Muhammad Rizwan Jr, Kashif Shah, Muhammad Imran Jr, Waseem Ahmed, Muhammad Rashid, Fareed Ahmed,
Muhammad Tousiq, Waqas Sharif, Muhammad Umar Bhutta, Waqas Akbar, Abdul Haseem Khan, Muhammad Zubair and Muhammad Rizwan Senior.
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