KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Tuesday included Amir Shahzad as a 19th player in their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (May 24 to June 3) squad.

Amir, who represents PIA in domestic hockey and has played for Pakistan on and off has been brought into the side on the request of the team management.

“We had already got a good 18-member team for the forthcoming event but we still wanted Amir in the side,” team manager and assistant coach Khawaja Junaid told Dawn.

“But we couldn’t go to the chief selector with this request on our own and both the federation president and secretary were also out of the country so we waited till they returned,” he explained.

“Now Amir has been included in the squad on the request of the management, which we are grateful that the selection committee approved,” said Junaid.

“Fielding more players in a competition is always to the management’s advantage as we get more options for players while also testing them for further challenges. Then the exposure is also good for the players,” he continued.

Amir, who plays well in both right fullback and right half positions, has also represented Pakistan in the 2009 Junior World Cup and a series against England. A good performance from him in the forthcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup may even get him into the Olympics squad.