February 23, 2002	Saturday	Zilhaj 10, 1422

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KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22: Veteran Shahbaz Ahmed hopes to turn the clock back by eight years as he comes out of retirement to lead Pakistan’s campaign in field hockey’s World Cup starting here Sunday.

The mercurial 36-year-old makes a comeback to the international arena at an age when others would be happy to bask in past glory and leave the stage to younger, fitter players.

But Shahbaz is not taking his return lightly. He wants to spearhead Pakistan’s fifth World Cup title, just as he had done in Sydney way back in 1994.

Then, he was the star striker who ran circles around the rival defence. Now older and wiser, Shahbaz prefers to marshall his players from the midfield, creating moves and making spaces for the juniors.

“I know there are many who feel I am too old to play the World Cup, but I am serious about this one,” said the oldest player in the 16-nation tournament.

“Frankly, I have nothing to prove to anyone. But there is the itch to go out there and help Pakistan win the World Cup again.”

If Pakistani manager Khalid Khokhar is to be believed, Shahbaz could emerge as the star of the tournament.

“Don’t write the man off,” Khokhar warned.

“I compare him to salt which gives good taste and flavour to food. Shahbaz adds flavour to the Pakistan team.

“We would be bland without him. His presence alone is enough to inspire team-mates to give their best.”

Not only did Shahbaz put aside the rustiness of a two-year retirement, he also took up the mantle of coach alongside former international Hanif Khan.

Khokhar said having Shahbaz as a player-coach had it’s advantages.

“We do not have to shout from the sidelines now,” the manager said. “Shahbaz is there to take charge. He is the commander of the team.”

Pakistan, who also won the World Cup in 1971, 1978 and 1982, finished fifth in the last edition in the Netherlands in 1998.

Pakistan came fourth in the Sydney Olympics, but showed they would be a force to reckon with in the World Cup by winning a six-nation tournament here last month.

“The important thing is to finish among the top two in the league gr