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| November 14, 2005 | Monday | Shawwal 11, 1426 |
FIH summons Saqlain on 27th: Probe into misconduct
LAHORE, Nov 13: Mohammad Saqlain, facing an inquiry by FIH for misconduct, on Sunday said incident involving him during the Rabo Trophy final was not a “big issue” and it should have been settled by the team management on the spot.
“I did not do it intentionally. Instead the Australian hit back at me. It was not a serious matter and should have been settled by the management,” Saqlain told reporters.
The Pakistan captain has been summoned by the FIH for hearing on Nov 27. He is facing inquiry for allegedly hitting Australian defender during Rabo Trophy in the Netherlands earlier this year.
Saqlain has a history of indiscipline. He was shown the door weeks before 2000 Sydney Olympics for misconduct before coach Roelant Oltmans dropped him from 2004 Athens Olympics squad for hitting team-mate Adnan Maqsood during a training session.
He was also suspended for one match for hitting a South Korean player during Azlan Shah Cup earlier this year.
Meanwhile, team manager Saeed Khan said he tried to resolve the issue on the spot besides having a conversation with the FIH president.
Saeed said according to the video footage Saqlain was not at fault and Pakistan would prove it during the proceedings.
The manager said PHF would decide the name of a representative to represent Saqlain before the FIH as the player would not be facing the committee.
While coach Asif Bajwa had rated only Australia, Spain and India as tough teams in the forthcoming Champions Trophy, Saqlain said that all the six teams in the event were strong.
“Though we won Rabo Trophy after a long time, I believe we have to work more for the Champions Trophy as it is the toughest test,” he said.
The skipper rated Pakistan, the Netherlands, Australia and Spain at par. He said Pakistan could beat Spain if it scored an early goal.
“According to my assessment, the Spaniards come under pressure and make mistakes if the opposition takes lead. We will try our best to score early goals against them,” Saqlain said.
Saqlain said the left flank was a weak area during Rabo Trophy and it had been decided that he would play both up at the left and in the half.
“Shabbir Hussain is a seasoned left-winger but even then that area is weak and now I will also come to assist him at this position,” he said.
He said Ghazanfar Ali’s decision against playing for the national side would not be favourable for the team, though Pakistan had his alternatives.
“Ghazanfar was the part of the winning combination and he could have been more useful for the team,” he said.
Ghazanfar is playing professional league abroad and decided to skip the Champions Trophy.
“I think PHF should take some steps to attract the players who are making money by skipping national duty,” Saqlain said.
Meanwhile, Mudassar Ali Khan, who had injured his ankle, is likely to join the camp from Tuesday after a two-day rest.
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