KARACHI: Three-time world champions Pakistan hockey team will fly to Dhaka on Sunday morning to compete in the Asia Cup for men’s which runs from Oct 11 to 22.
Pakistan takes on host Bangladesh in the first match on the opening day before they face Japan on Oct 13 while their high-octane clash against arch-rivals India is slated for Oct 15.
The selection committee led by former Olympian Hasan Sardar, has given another chance to six players on the pretext that they performed well in the World Hockey League.
They include Rashid Mahmood, Rizwan Sr, Mubashir Ali, Waqas Akbar, M. Atiq and Irfan Sr.
Team: Mohammad Irfan Sr (captain), Rizwan Sr (vice captain), Mazhar Abbas, Amjad Ali, Atif Mushtaq, Mubashir Ali, Ammad Shakil Butt, Abu Bakar, Tassawur Abbas, Rashid Mahmood, Rizwan Jr, Arsalan Qadir, Azfar Yaqoob, Umer Bhutta, Ali Shan, M. Atiq, Waqas Akbar and Aijaz Ahmed.
Officials: Farhat Khan (manager-cum-chief coach), Malik Shafqat, M. Sarwar (coaches), Dr Atif Bashir (physio) and Abuzar (video analyst).
Pools:
A: Pakistan, India, Japan, Bangladesh
B: Malaysia, South Korea, China, Oman.
Schedule:
Oct 11: India v Japan, Pakistan v
Bangladesh
Oct 12: Malaysia v China, South Korea v Oman
Oct 13: Japan v Pakistan, India v Bangladesh
Oct 14: China v Oman, South Korea v Malaysia
Oct 15: Japan v Bangladesh, Pakistan v India
Oct 16: Malaysia v Oman, China v South Korea
Oct 17: Rest Day
Oct 18: Classification matches
Oct 19: Classification matches
Oct 20: Classification matches
Oct 21: Classification matches
Oct 22: Play off for 3rd-4th position, final.
Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2017
