March 04, 2008	Tuesday	Safar 25, 1429

LAHORE, March 3: Pakistan’s hopes of making a mark in Group A qualifying round of the AFC Challenge Cup received a big boost when UK-based footballer Atif Bashir joined the national camp here on Monday.

The camp is being set up for preparing the team for the AFC qualifiers which will be played from April 2-6 at Taipei, China.

Atif, who was born in Berlin, Germany, currently lives in Wales capital Cardiff and is the fifth overseas player invited to join the on-going camp. Other teams in the qualifying rounds are last edition’s runner-up Sri Lanka and little-known Guam.

“Overseas players like Altaf Ahmed, Zeeshan Rehman, Adnan Ahmed and Amjad Iqbal played brilliantly when we forced a goalless draw against the Asian champions at Damascus in the 19th World Cup Qualifier last year,” said Akhtar Mohiuddin, head coach of the team which will undergo training till March 31.

“The inclusion of Atif Bashir from Welsh Premier League is a great move and strengthens our defensive/midfield department,” he said.

Atif, 22, recently switched to Haverfordwest from the Welsh League side ENTO Aberaman. He made his debut for the Haverfordwest county, known as Bluebirds, against Rhyl at Belle Vue as left-back on Jan 26 this year.

“Overseas football players of Pakistani origin are showing willingness to play for their country which will further help promote the game here,” said Akhtar.

Earlier, the Europe-based Usman Gondal, Zeshan Rehman represented the national team in 2005 followed by Kashif Siddiqi who played for Pakistan Olympic team in 2007.—APP