ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) on Wednesday finalised its squad which will compete in the first Asian Indoor Games next month.

Muhammad Khalid Mahmood, secretary of AFP told Dawn that the men’s team had been chosen on the basis of their showing in the trials while in selecting the women, their performances at the recent Islamic Games were taken into account.

“The team is well balanced and has been selected purely on merit and I expect them to do well at the Games,” Khalid said.

The Games in Bangkok run from Nov 12 to 19 with the athletics events getting under way on the 13th. Apart from athletics, Pakistan will also take part in swimming.

The AFP selection committee meeting to finalise the squad was chaired by Brig. Saleem Nawaz Malik, the chairman of selectors.

On the men’s side Muhammad Imran has been picked to compete in the 60m sprint while Muhammad Shah and Abdur Rasheed will both contest the 60m hurdles event. Ashraf Ali on the other hand will take part in the shot put competition.

Among the women athletes is Zeenat Parveen, winner of a shot put gold at the Women’s Islamic Games in Tehran last month. Also on the squad is 1500m silver winner Sumera Zahoor and Gulnaz Ara who clinched a bronze in the 800m at the Games.

The squad (men): Muhammad Imran (60m sprint), Muhammad Shah and Abdur Rasheed (60m hurdles), Ashraf Ali (shot put).

Women: Zeenat Parveen (shot put), Sumera Zahoor (1500m), Gulnaz Ara (800m). Rana Ghufran and Maqsood Ahmed (coaches), Group Capt Hayatullah Bangash (manager).