KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation, on Tuesday, announced an 18-member squad for the Junior Asia Cup.

Seasoned forward Umar Bhutta is set to lead the squad at the seventh edition of the tournament, which will be held in Malaysia next month.

The squad was named by the selection committee, headed by Hanif Khan and included Khalid Bashir and Arshad Chaudhry after three trial sessions were held at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium in Karachi, under chief coach Rana Mujahid.

A pool of 25 players featured in the trials.

Captain Umar Bhutta had already represented Pakistan senior team in several international events, along with Kashif Shah, Ali Shan, Tousiq Ahmed and Muhammad Rizwan.

“This is an important event for us and we are looking to book a berth in next year's Junior World Cup,” Chief coach Rana Mujahid told reporters.

“We have a strong combination in presence of five senior players and we are hoping to see boys performing well to reach the final,” he said.

The Junior Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Malaysia from May 3 to 13.

Pakistan squad: Mazhar Abbas, Amjad Ali (goalkeepers) Muhammad Khalid Bhatti, Syed Kashif Shah (full-backs), M. Rizwan Jr, Kashif Javed, Muhammad Tousiq, M.Faisal Qadir, Tawasar Abbas, Zohaib Ashraf, Ammad Shakeel Butt (half-backs), Muhammad Irfan, Ali Shan, Muhammad Dilbar, Muhammad Umar Bhutta, Muhammad Suleman, Hafiz Umar Sardar, Hafiz Rizwan, Muhammad Umar, Muhammad Jaffar (forwards).

Officials: Rana Mujahid Ali (Chief Coach/Manager) Danish Kaleem, Anjum Saeed, Ahmed Alam (coaches) Syed Abuzar Umaro (vedio analyst) and Dr. Asad Abbas (doctor)