Pakistan announces young lineup for inaugural Asian Champions Trophy – Hockey News
In a bid to test the fresh talent, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has proclaimed the final line-up comprised of youngsters for maiden version of the Asian Champions Trophy fixed to be held from September 3-11 in the Chinese city of Ordos. Muhammad Imran
has been succeeded to hold back the confidence of selectors and been picked up once again as skipper for the regional tournament.
Hanif Khan, the Chief Selector of the Greenshirts while speaking to the media after announcing the 18-member national team at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium expressed hopes that senior players could make a comeback into the squad.
He further said that the senior names are in their Olympic plans and they were testing fresh talent to make a mix squad. He stated, “Senior players like Sohail Abbas are very much in our Olympic plans. We have just rested them to try out a few promising
youngsters in an international event.”
He also expressed hopes saying that the Greenshirts comprised of youngsters would not disappoint the nation in the Asian Champions Trophy. He continued, “These young boys appear to be pretty talented and I’m hoping that they will do well in China. We have
youngsters from the junior team like Ali Shan, Irfan and Rizwan in the team and the onus is now on them to prove their mettle.”
In the meantime, Assistant Coach Shahid Ali Khan also spoke with the media saying that the induction of two goalkeepers in the line-up was an impressive step. It will not only ease the pressure on the team but will help both the custodians to learn new international
techniques, he added.
In the first edition of the Asian Champions Trophy, Pakistan is featured with five best teams in the region including Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia and the arch-rival India. Defending Master Muhammad Imran and veteran striker Shakeel Abbasi will lead
the squad as captain and deputy captain.
In an unprecedented move, the federation decided not to pick-up world’s highest goal score and seasoned drag flicker Sohail Abbas along with Rehan Butt and Salman Akbar for the event. The former two were on rest while the custodian himself made request for
the leave.
The federation inducted a talented mid-fielder from the junior team namely Ali Shan while few more youngsters made their comeback into the squad.
The 18-member line-up of Pakistan team is comprised of Mohammad Imran, Shakeel Abbasi, Imran Shah, Imran Butt, Mohammad Irfan, Rashid Mehmood, Syed Kashif Shah, Mohammad Rizwan Junior, Mohammad Tousiq, Shafqat Rasool, Waseem Ahmad, Rizwan Senior, Fareed
Ahmed, Kashif Javed, Abdul Haseem Khan, Waqas Sharif, Mohammad Umar Bhutta and Ali Shan.
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