PRU also announced the names of 30 probables from which a final team will be announced. -File Photo

LAHORE: The Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) has hired international qualified coach Mike Pirrit of New Zealand for two months to prepare the national team for the upcoming Asian Five-Nations Division-III to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia in June.

During his stay, Pirrit will also hold coaching courses besides coaching the teams of Army, Police and Pakistan Under-20 squad. Pirrit said that he was impressed with the dedication and commitment of the players and the PRU officials. He added that the boys had the abilities of unity, teamwork and strong work ethics, which were necessary for the game.

PRU president Fawzi Khawaja expressed hope that Pirrit would help the national team in improving the skill and technique for the important event. Secretary PRU Arif Saeed said that Pirrit with his experience was quite capable of improving Pakistan standing from Division-III to II.

Besides Pakistan and hosts Indonesia, the other participating teams are Guam and China. Meanwhile, the PRU also announced the names of 30 probables from which a final team will be announced.

Squad:

Abu Bakr, Adnan Saeed Niazi, Aftab Ashraf Qureshi, Ahmed Mumtaz, Anwaar-ul-Haq Zafar, Arsalan Zahid, Azmat Khan Niazi, Babar Mohammad, Bilal Mahmood Butt, Kashif Khawaja, Kawar Asraf, Khalid Mahmood, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Mannan Naseem, Mohammad Yasir Fida, Romail Ashraf, Saad Arif, Sahir Aslam, Sair Riaz, Salman Majeed Wain, Sami Uddin, Shahbaz Munir, Shakeel Ahmed, Syed Zeeshan Rizvi, Taimur Zia Butt, Umar Islam, Umar Usman, Mansoor Rehan, Imad Nasir, Junaid Imtiaz Malik and Amrez Hamid.