Zeshan joined the national team ranks in 2005 for the first time by representing Pakistan at SAFF championship. —ZeshRehman.com/File photo

KARACHI Pakistan football received a jolt days ahead of AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers when the English football star Zeshan Rehman (a.k.a. Zesh) announced he will not be available this time to don green jersey due to league commitment in England.

The Queens Park Rangers defender, who is now on loan at Bradford City, says although he loves to represent his country of origin, he will skip the cup qualifiers as his club still has eight more games to play in the league.

`I can`t come to Pakistan since I am playing for my club in the league. But I wish the team all the best,` sources close to Zeshan told Dawn.com late Friday night while quoting the England-based player.

Zeshan`s absence might hamper Pakistan`s build-up to the four-nation tournament which kicks off April 4 in the pearl island. Apart from Pakistan, hosts Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Brunei Darussalam will be in fray.

Newly-hired foreign coach George Kottan, who was anxiously waiting for Zeshan`s arrival, will be looking for a contingency plan to bolster the squad which recently returned after an unimpressive show at Prime Minister`s Cup in Nepal. Pakistan drew 1-1 with Bangladesh`s Arambagh Krira Sangha before losing 0-1 to Nepal Reds.

`It`s always an honour to play for your country but on this occasion, I will not participate in the tournament as it clashes with vital league games. The season is in the home straight and Bradford have eight more games to hopefully secure promotion and I want to be here to play my part,` says Zeshan, the only Asian to play in all four divisions in England.

Kottan was disappointed on Zeshan`s non-availability for the crucial event but hoped the defender, who had also represented English club Brighton, would join the squad for next tournament.

`His (Zeshan) absence might affect our build-up as he was one of the best players for Pakistan. We are already facing problems regarding absence of players in the camp. But I hope Zeshan will join us next time,` Kottan said.

Pakistan football got a shot in the arm in 2005 when Zeshan, then playing for Fulham, joined the ranks for the first time by representing Pakistan at SAFF championship in Karachi.

The Birmingham-born defender, who has also represented England under-20 side, was also a member of the Pakistan squad that held Asian champions Iraq to a 0-0 draw at World Cup qualifiers in 2007.

Apart from Zeshan, five other Europe-based players who were part of World Cup qualifiers squad are Amjad Iqbal, Luke Karim, Adnan Farooq Ahmed, Fouzal Azeem and Asad Ahmed.

However, worries are not over yet for the Pakistan coaches as another import Adnan Farooq Ahmed, who plays for English club Port Vale, is also yet to report. Star midfielder Mohammad Essa, who couldn`t report earlier because of personal commitments, has joined the camp. Altogether 21 probables out of 26 called up have reported so far.