February 24, 2003	Monday	Zul Hijjah 22, 1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

KARACHI, Feb 23: Pakistan announce their hockey squad for next month’s Azlan Shah Cup on Monday with followers anticipating ageing ‘veterans’ to be replaced by youthful talent.

The March 22-31 tournament to be hosted by the Malaysian city of Ipoh will be the first outing for Pakistan since their humiliation at the Busan Asian Games last year.

The green shirts returned without a medal from the South Korean city after finishing fourth, the worst-ever show at the Games by Pakistan until now.

The six-nation contest in Ipoh will be participated by defending champions Germany, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Korea, and India.

Pakistan had, perhaps, the worst season last year with pathetic performances at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, the Cologne Champions Trophy, and the Asian Games. The team could not win a single title despite having several experienced but ageing veterans.

Hockey pundits have been suggesting to axe goalkeeper Ahmad Alam, Mohammad Saqlain, Mohammad Nadeem and Tariq Imran, for a long time — an advice which so far have fallen on deaf ears.

Even Tahir Zaman, the then coach, who has now been demoted after the dismal run, had admitted after failing to grab the bronze in Busan, the team needed fresh blood rather than old hats.

Monday’s trials have gained significance since the coach and the selectors will have to decided whether to bank on over-the- hill veterans or to inject at least a small amount of new blood if not in bulk.

However, how the selection committee would select the squad is incomprehensible given the fact only one member, Hassan Sardar, came to the training camp for a few days.

The remaining selectors, including their chief Akhtar Rasool, Saeed Khan, Saleem Nazim and co-opted member, PHF secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan, never visited the camp, set up since Feb 15 at Steel Mills Sports Complex.

Nevertheless, coach Shahnaz Sheikh was tight-lipped when asked about the prospects of having some new faces in the side.

“All the probables will be considered. The competition is open for all. I and the rest of the selectors will analyse and then take the decision,” the coach said.

Shahnaz said the strength of the camp had been increased from 34 to 35 after the arrival of Asim Chohan on Friday who had taken five-day rest due to his knee injury.

Asked whether Asim would be considered for selection, Shahnaz replied in affirmative. Asim has been dogged by a knee injury for more than a year, but surprisingly the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) always invites him for the camps.

Shahnaz, however, said midfielder Ghazanfar Ali would not be part of the trials as he was in England. “I am not aware about the reason of Ghazanfar’s absence,” he added.

The team manager, Col Shahid Jaffery, said he would recommend disciplinary action against Ghazanfar for misleading the team management as he was playing in the league in England.

“I have come to know Ghazanfar is playing in England, while he told me he is suffering from pneumonia. If that is the case, I will strongly recommend action against Ghazanfar,” the manager said.

Jawaid Iqbal, another probable, have also not reported for the camp for unknown reasons.