LAHORE, May 17: Faisal Saleh Hayat, the president of the Pakistan Football Federation, has approved the names of 37 players to attend a training camp here from Sunday (today) for preparation of the SAFF Championship which will be held in Maldives next month.

Four Britain-based players — Iltaf Ahmed (goalkeeper), Zeeshan Rehman, Atif Bashir and Adnan Farooq Ahmed — have been invited to join the camp.

Three other England-based players – Amjad Iqbal, Assad Ahmed and Sufyan Mahmood – who had visited Syria with the team during the 19th World Cup qualifiers failed to find place in the 37 players.

Pakistan will clash hosts Maldives in their opening match in Group ‘A’ at the National Stadium on June 3.

According to the draws of the 15-match event which will conclude on June 14, Pakistan will also take on India and Nepal in their group.

India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan are taking part in the event besides Pakistan and Maldives.

Probables:

Goalkeepers: Syed Sultan Ali, Bilal Rafiq (PIA); Mujahid (PTV); Altaf Ahmed (UK).

Defenders: Samar Ishaq, Mohammad Ahmed, Kamran Khan (KRL); Mohammad Shahid, Naveed Akram (Wapda); Mohammad Haji (PIA); Adil Ahmed, Yasir Sabir (NBP); Mohammad Imran (Army); Zeeshan Rehman (Queen’s Park Rangers); Akhtar Mamil (KPT).

Midfielders: Zia-us-Salam (KRL); Mohammad Irfan, Nasrullah Khan (PIA); Farooq Shah, Abdul Aziz (NBP); Michael Masih (Army); Awais (PEL); Adnan Farooq Ahmed (Tranmere Rovers); Atif Bashir (Haverfordwest County AFC); Jadid Khan (Afghan FC, Chaman); Farhan Qadir (Navy); Imran Niazi, Zahid Hameed, Zulfiqar Ali Shah (Wapda).

Strikers: Arif Mehmood (Wapda); Shakir Lashari (PIA); Mohammad Essa, Mohammad Qasim, Mohammad Rasool (KRL); Asif Mehmood (Navy); Mohammad Adam (SGP); Abdul Rehman (KPT).—Agencies

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