June 09, 2006	Friday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1427

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KARACHI, June 8: Pakistan hockey selectors ignored their own set of criteria when they inducted Mohammad Saqlain and Ghazanfar Ali in the final 18-member Azlan Shah Cup squad, despite the pair did not play practice games during the training camp which was a pre-requisite for selection.

The two midfielders were included in the provisional 20-member Azlan Shah Cup squad subject to physical fitness and reports from doctor. It was also decided that the two Karachi-based selectors would watch them play during the camp before taking a final decision.

Although the team management and selectors received a go-ahead from doctor, the players have not been made to play four or five games as decided.

“Saqlain and Ghazanfar will be part of the squad if they play at least four or five games during training. Then two Karachi-based selectors will take the decision,” chief selector Khalid Mahmood had announced last Friday.

However, now Khalid said, “the players must have played before being inducted into the squad.”

“I believe the two Karachi selectors must have taken care of this matter. I understand the two players must have played four or five games,” the Olympian said when told the players had not met the criteria for final nod.

Khalid, however, failed to give a satisfactory reply when asked since the two players had not being involved fully in the practice games and did not meet the pre-requisite, how they would be able to prepare as coach Asif Bajwa was pondering leaving for Kuala Lumpur on June 13 for acclimatization.

“I don’t have any idea what Asif is planning. So I can’t say anything,” he said.

Saqlain is suffering from an eye infection, while Ghazanfar is recovering from a hand fracture.

It has been learnt that Asif is calling the shots in selection matters, while Khalid, who recently replaced Akhtar Rasool, is yet to take control of the affairs. While Asif is throwing his weight behind Saqlain and Ghazanfar, Khalid is not in favour of including the injured duo.

Interestingly, Adnan Zakir, who was axed by the selectors who said that the forward was suffering from hamstring injury, has been called up and is training as one of the standbys at Hockey Club of Pakistan.