LAHORE, Feb 21: A six-member Pakistan team will be leaving for Auckland, New Zealand, on Wednesday night from here to participate in the World Cup Polo Zone ‘D’ qualifiers, commencing from Monday.

Shah Qubilai Alam is leading the side. The other players are Raja Samiullah, Hissam Ali Hyder, Haseeb Minhas, Saqib Khan Khakwani and Ahmed Ali Tiwana.

Three officials – A. J. H. el Effendi (coach), Agha Murtaza Ali Khan (manager) and Lt Col Farhat Abbas (Pakistan Polo Association representative) – are accompanying the team.

Besides Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa are also participating in the competition.

The matches will be played on league basis and two top teams will qualify for the World Cup to be held in Mexico later this year.

Qubilai, who had participated in domestic season this year after the five-year ban imposed on him by the PPA was waived off by President Gen Pervez Musharraf, is looking in good form. He will have services of Hissam Ali Hyder and Raja Samiullah, who have been playing polo in England and Argentina.

Manager Agha Murtaza Ali Khan told Dawn that Pakistan had to face tough challenge from South Africa.

“South Africa’s players are inexperienced but they have shown excellent skills in recent matches, making their team a formidable side,” Murtaza remarked.

He was of the view that Qubilai was still the best available choice to lead the squad due to his experience and skills.

The manager said the decision to field the Pakistan Team in the LPC tournaments in this season paid off.

“We won the Punjab Cup and also played in the semi-finals of the national championship, despite the fact that top players from Argentina and England were representing other teams.”

Murtaza, however, admitted that their preparations suffered a setback due to rainy weather in Lahore during last fortnight.

Matches' schedule:

Feb 26: New Zealand vs India; Pakistan vs Australia.

Feb 27: South Africa vs Pakistan.

Feb 28: India vs Australia.

March 1: India vs Pakistan; New Zealand vs South Africa.

March 3: Australia vs South Africa; New Zealand vs Pakistan.

March 4: South Africa vs India.