LAHORE, May 18: Goalkeeper Ahmad Alam has been recalled by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for July’s tour to Spain and Manchester Games.

The former captain had announced his retirement from international hockey following Pakistan’s dismal performance at Azlan Shah Cup in Kaula Lumpur last August citing poor form as the reason.

Ahmad is among the 31 probabales shorlisted for the second phase of the training camp after the second day of the two-day trials.

Chief selector, Col S.K. Tressler (retd), said since Ahmad had withdrawn his decision of retirement, he had been invited for the camp.

However, in fact injuries to first choice goalkeeper Mohammad Qasim and Salman Akbar, forced PHF to recall Ahmad.

 Qasim, who has been advised one week rest, injured his right foot at the Aga Khan Gold Cup in Islamabad. He had to leave as his injury aggravated during sessions at the camp.

Salman twisted his knee during a warm-up before appearing in Saturday’s trials.

Apart from the seven injured players who have left the camp, Mohammad Sarwar and Mohammad Saqlain also sustained injuries during the trials on Saturday.

The chief selector said that injured players would re-join the second leg of the camp as their injuries were not serious.

The first phase of the training camp which started May 6 will continute for couple of days, while the second phase begins sometime in June.

Earlier, the PHF had decided to run the camp till May 31,   but injuries to several players forced it to wrap up the camp early.

Two veterans, Kamram Ashraf and Naveed Alam were also among those who were named among the shorlisted players.

The three probables playing league abroad, Kashif Jawwad, Sohail Abbas and Waseem Ahmad, were exempted from appearing at the trials by the selectors.

Two sessions were held on Saturday in which 35 probables appeared.

Shorlisted probables:

Goalkeepers: Mohammad Qasim, Salman Akbar, Ahmad Alam, Shabbir, Rashid Yaqoob