Samiullah, like many others in Pakistan, said that he had wanted to see the match but settled for audio and text commentary and the little fragments of live action on a local TV channel. -Photo by AP

KARACHI: Former hockey great Samiullah on Sunday blasted television networks in the country for not telecasting the thrilling final of Azlan Shah Cup, where Pakistan pushed Australia to the limit before going down 3-2 in extra-time.

“It was a big match and a big event for Pakistan hockey in which it reached the final despite world-class teams participating in it. So I think it should have been telecasted in the country,” Samiullah told PPI.

“The matches of Azlan Shah Cup, where Pakistan defeated arch-rival India in a high-voltage match and later played the final, could have done the game’s popularity in the country a world of good. I believe if our youth are exposed to such events constantly, it will help in inspiring them.”

Samiullah, like many others in Pakistan, said that he had wanted to see the match but settled for audio and text commentary and the little fragments of live action on a local TV channel.