KARACHI: Umer Bhutta will lead the 18-member Pakistan squad in the upcoming 29th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, set to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from November 1.

The squad was announced by the Pakistan Hockey Federation late on Monday, following trials during the national side’s training camp at the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium here.

The team comprises of few junior players due to nine seniors refusing to join the camp to participate in professional leagues.

Pakistan’s participation in the Azlan Shah Cup is subject to an NOC by the Pakistan Sports Board, which recently disapproved the PHF’s election in August.

Squad: Umer Bhutta (captain), Abdullah Ishtiaq, Akmal Hussain (goalkeepers), M. Abdullah, Sufyan, Arbaz Ahmed, Aqeel, Ihtesham, Murtaza Yaqoob, Rana Abdul Waheed, Rooman Khan, Hanan Shahid, Junaid Manzoor, Arshad Liaquat, Afraz, Shahzeb Khan, Osama Bashir and M. Imran.

Standbys: Waqar, Abdullah Shaikh, Abuzar, M. Amad, Abdul Wahab and Saad Shafique.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2022