LAHORE, May 17: Thirty-six probables appeared on the first day of the two-day national hockey trials which started here at the National Hockey Stadium Friday.

The trials are being held to shortlist the probables to 25 for the tour to Spain and Manchester Commonwealth Games in July.

Forty-eight players were called up of which seven left the camp due to injuries and three are playing league abroad. Former skipper and coach Shahbaz Ahmad had announced his retirement.

Mohammad Sarwar missed the first day because of death of his grandmother.

He is expected to return from Okara Saturday where he has gone to attend the funeral.

Apart from the national selectors, the Pakistan Hockey Federation president, Gen Mohammad Aziz Khan, was also present to watch the two 45-minute games today.

In the first match, Reds beat Blues 2-0 with Shahid Rabbani and Saleem Ahmad scoring one goal each.

Blues defeated Reds 4-3 in the second match. Kamran Ashraf, Nadeem Ahmad, Ali Raza and Javed scored one goal each for the winners. Babar Abdullah scored two goals, while Javed Iqbal struck one goal for the Reds.

Two more sessions will be held Saturday.