Shahbaz Ahmad Senior: a Pakistan Hockey Great!
Shahbaz Ahmad Senior is legendary hockey star from Pakistan. Ahmad was definitely one of the best players of the world if not then at least the best forward of his era. Shahbaz - during his decade-long hockey career - was acknowledged as the “Best Player” in as many as 10 international events which is simple more than any other player in modern-day hockey. He was peerless for his energy and speed which was why no one was able to catch him in his stride.
A highly motivated performer, he could leave the opponent defences overwhelmed with the sheer vividness of his moves. There was no better scene than Shahbaz flying with the hockey ball, trickling past opposition’s defences with sheer artistry at magnificent speed and finally finding the back of the net.
He was extremely lethal, if given a space or not handled physically. During the 16th Champions Trophy, he was given an unrestrictive role in the midfield in which he was tremendously effective in producing openings and assisting the midfield.
Till his retirement, Shahbaz continued to play in that free flowing style without limiting himself to the restrictions of a corridor.
Shahbaz Ahmad is one of the legendary hockey players of all times. He had great speed and had great ball control. He holds a major role in Pakistan’s triumphs at the 1994 World Cup held in Sydney, Australia along with the 1994 Champions Trophy played in Lahore, Pakistan.
Shahbaz Ahmad was given a nickname of “The Man with the Electric Heels”. This is a name given to this renowned forward player by one and all. His speed and energy on the arena has been peerless till date.
This Pakistani skipper got his nickname not just for the sake of fun. Hockey lovers actually meant what they called him for fun. His electric fast trickling and smooth running earned him the nick name.
Born on 1st of September, 1968 in Faisalabad, Shahbaz Ahmad made his debut in the 1986 World Cup.
He was the skipper of the side too and has led the green shirts to many glorious victories across the globe. His triumphs have not only been on the home turfs but he has had many victories to his name as well.
Shahbaz is the lone player to keep the record of holding the man of the tournament title in two consecutive hockey World Cups; the 1990 and 1994 hockey championships.
He has won various other gold medals in many other prestigious events of world hockey. He has won the gold medal in the 3rd Asia Cup held in New Delhi along with the 1989 Asian games.
His got silver medals at the 1988 Champions trophy, followed by the 1990 World Cup along with the BMW trophy in the same year too. In the 1989 champion’s trophy, he bagged a bronze medal too. In addition to this, the trophies and medals won by Shahbaz Ahmad in local events are so many that a museum can easily be filled with his silverware alone.
With 304 caps, he is the most capped Pakistani captain in history.
Shahbaz, did not leave the sports ground in a blaze of grandeur, and for that he did not blame anybody but himself. The green shirts notched their ever worst ranking in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics due to infighting between the team. Various players had insisted that they would not play until and unless he was restored as skipper. Eventually, he decided to join the team un-provisionally but by then, Pakistan had already lost the chance to make a comeback. That revolt would unluckily defile his image for many days to come.
After his retirement from world hockey, he played for a Dutch club, Oranje Zwart, for two years before entering the quite world of retirement. His services to not only Pakistan but World Hockey in general will be remembered for a very long time.
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