LAHORE, Jan 4: Two-day trials to select Pakistan team for the forthcoming Six-Nation Hockey Tournament started at the National Hockey Stadium on Friday.

The competition is scheduled to be held at Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) from Jan 18.

In all 28 probables were to appear in the trials but centre- forward Atif Bashir and outside-right Mohammad Nadeem could not appear in the trials due to fitness problems.

Atif Bashir had broken his collar-bone in the 23rd Champions Trophy held at Rotterdam, Holland in November this year while Mohammad Nadeem had fractured his finger during the training camp. The final report about Nadeem’s fitness will be received on Jan 8.

Captain Muhammad Sarwar also missed the opening day of trials due to strain in his ankle. Others who missed the opening day trials due to minor fitness problems were full-back Tariq Imran, Aasim Chouhan and spearhead Kashif Jawwad. They are likely to appear in the trials on Saturday.

The team will be announced on Saturday.