LAHORE, March 18 Chief selector Hasan Sardar announced an 18-member squad to participate in next month`s 18th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after watching one-day trials at the National Hockey Stadium here on Wednesday.
Fullback Zeeshan Ashraf has been named as captain while another defender, Mohammad Imran, has been named his deputy.

The tournament will be held in Ipoh, Malaysia, from April 5 to 12.

Addressing the media conference, the chief selector said the squad comprised young and experienced players and it would hopefully give better results.

“Our targets are Asia Cup and the Junior World Cup and we are trying out players in both junior and senior sides to prepare a winning combination,” Hasan said.

The former Olympian added that the decision of including only one goalkeeper Nasir Ahmad in the side was taken to give him ample chance to prove himself.

“Though we have some more goalkeepers but we relied on Nasir and hopefully he will not get unfit during the tour, instead he will get maximum exposure. For the Asia Cup, we will also have our top goalkeeper Salman Akbar in the side,” he said.

Some senior players are playing club hockey in Europe and will only be available for the Asia Cup which is being held in Dubai in May.

Meanwhile, PHF secretary Asif Bajwa claimed that the team could win the Azlan Shah Cup and if not, it would at least secure second position.

Bajwa said India and New Zealand would be the teams to beat.

“We must beat India and New Zealand to lift the trophy.”

He said a training camp for the goalkeepers would be set up to prepare a number of them for national duty.
In all, 25 players appeared in the trials.

Besides the chief selector, Rana Mujahid Ali, Khalid Bashir, Farhat Khan, Mohammad Shafiq and coach Shahid Ali Khan tested the players.
PHF president Qasim Zia was also present on the occasion.
Squad
Goalkeeper Nasir Ahmad.
Fullbacks Mohammad Imran, Zeeshan Ashraf, Ehsanullah.

Halves Zeeshan Ali, Sibtain Raza, Mohammad Saqlain, Rana Asif, Fareed Ahmad, Sajjad Anwar, Dilawar Bhatti.
Forwards Waqas Sharif, Shakeel Abbasi, Shabbir Khan, Abbas Haider, Tariq Aziz, Shafqat Rasool, Akhtar Ali.
Schedule of Pakistan`s matches
April 5 v Malaysia.
April 6 v New Zealand.
April 9 v Egypt.
April 11 v India.
April 12 Final and position matches.