LAHORE, April 2 The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) sees UK-based midfielder Atif Bashir Qureishi as a welcome addition to the national football team during its upcoming campaign in Sri Lanka.
It is hoped that the player who features in the 18-club Welsh Football League First Division back in Britain would be a source of strength and encouragement to his Pakistani team-mates during the 3rd AFC challenge Cup at Colombo, Sri Lanka.
“It was good that our chief coach George Kottan recognised Atif as a talented player while watching him in action during the inland soccer series held during camp,” said PFF President Faisal Saleh Hayat.
Atif, who plays for Barry Town FC is one of the two (other being Adnan Farooq Ahmed) overseas players called for the four-nation qualifiers to be played at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo where Pakistan will be playing three matches against Chinese Taipei (April 4), Brunei Darussalam (April 6) and Sri Lanka (April 8).
“Born to a British Pakistani father and a Turkish German mother, Atif could have played for Germany, Turkey, Britain and Pakistan. But he made his debut for Pakistan in the 2008 SAFF Championship against the host Maldives followed by matches against India and Nepal,” said PFF Secretary General Col Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi.
He added “Overseas players Iltaf Ahmed, Zeeshan Rehman, Adnan Ahmed, Amjad Iqbal played their part brilliantly when we held the Asian powerhouse and champion Iraq to a scoreless draw at Damascus in the 19th World Cup qualifier two years ago.
“Atif's inclusion in the Pakistan squad will give power to our defensive/midfield strategy during the team game plan.”
Born in Berlin, Atif now lives Waless capital Cardiff.
He has also played with Hertha Berlin and Cardiff City before moving to Wales. Atif, who celebrates his 24th birthday on Friday (April 3), joined Vale of Glamorgan's Barry Town FC earlier this year.
He has previously played with Afan Lido, Grange Quins and Haverfordwest County in the Top Flight soccer from 2004 to 2008. He has also played in the Welsh League for Maesteg Park and Taffs Well.
Lodhi concluded “Overseas players of Pakistani origin are showing their willingness to play for their country, which is a good thing that would also go a long way in motivating the youth here to take up soccer as a sport.—APP
