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| November 12, 2001 | Monday | Shaba’an 25, 1422 |
Shahbaz inclusion criticized
KARACHI, Nov 11: Pakistan’s dismal show at the Champions Trophy Sunday prompted the Olympians to launch a scathing attack against the decision of recalling the ageing striker Shahbaz Ahmad.
Celebrated centre-half Anwar Ahmad Khan, though, did not comment whether Shahbaz’s inclusion had backfired, opined only youngsters were the future of Pakistan hockey.
“I hung my boots in my prime, when I was at my peak, and even didn’t stage a comeback when hockey officials asked me to rejoin the squad that later won the second Olympic gold in 1968 in Mexico,” Anwar, who retired from international hockey in 1966, said.
After a spate of pathetic performances, Pakistan once again faltered at the Champions Trophy in Rotterdam and finished fourth, losing to the Netherlands 5-2 in the bronze medal playoff.
Anwar, a former Pakistan skipper, said fresh blood ought to be infused rather than recalling old guards to reap a rich harvest.
“Countries around the world are tapping fresh talent. Almost all other teams, except Germany, at the Champions Trophy had new players. But Pakistan went for spent forces,” he said without naming Shahbaz.
Shahbaz, 35, another former captain and a star striker, was called up by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), in a desperate effort to regain the lost glory through benefiting from his distribution.
The left-in, who had earlier been associated with the national squad as one of the three coaches, being invited to make a second comeback, the first before being in the 1998 for the Utrecht World Cup where team finished a poor fifth.
While Shahbaz got a call up, youngsters like Sameer Hussain, and Yousuf brothers, Imran and Irfan, etc were overlooked by the selectors for reasons better known to them.
Anwar said while the Dutch seemed to be fighting fit during the playoff, the Pakistanis lacked basic skills.
“The hits, interceptions, and passes were pinpoint from the Dutch side. While our boys were casual in their approach throughout the match. The half-line instead of releasing passes for the forwards went for individual play.
“The complacency was evident from their play against the Dutch since they failed to display their prowess they showed against England,” he added.
He, however, heaped praise on penalty corner exponent, Sohail Abbas, saying he was the linchpin of the side and even came near to become the top scorer of the tournament.
He also praised goalkeeper Mohammad Qasim for denying the opposition on a number of occasions.
Anwar, also a former Pakistan manager said, present scenario suggested it was high time that a foreign coach be hired to save the game in the country.
“Enough is enough. We have already lost out pride in hockey, the sport we dominated for years. It’s time to hire a foreigner. We had Dutch trainer, Hans Jorritsma, and won World Cup and the Champions Trophy in 1994. We can do that once again.” he contended.
Former Pakistan coach, Ayaz Mahmood, joined the chorus of criticism, saying the team looked like a bunch of amateurs despite being the most experienced side of the contest.
“Though, on paper, Pakistan were the most experienced team, we lost and played like rookies against the giants,” the Olympian said.
He did not mince words in saying Shahbaz’s call up had served nothing and added the hockey bosses should have gone for the youth rather than over-the-hill veterans.
“Now if the PHF wants to sack the team management, it should also show the door to the whole selection committee that picked the players for the tournament,” he said.
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