KARACHI, Feb 28: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Wednesday axed right-in Azlan Khan from the national under-18 squad for Kenya and Egypt tours on what appeared to be an unfair ground, especially since manager Jahangir Butt’s input was not considered on the decision.

Asked why striker Azlan Khan had been sidelined on the report and recommendation of a physical trainer, Khalid while saying that the best possible squad had been selected, refused to comment further on the issue.

“I can’t tell you what happened during the trials, ” Khalid curtly replied.

According to sources, right-in Azlan was summoned after the trials by the four selectors – Khalid Mahmood, Manzoorul Hassan, Samiullah and coopted member of the selection committee Akhtarul Islam who is also the PHF secretary.

Azlan, when asked by Sami whether he attended the morning sessions during the training camp, replied in the affirmative but said he was slow during the endurance test. However, when physical trainer Irshad Hussain was called up to verify Azlan’s reply, he contradicted the player’s claims and denied Azlan attended any morning session.

Sami and his fellow selectors then announced their verdict of axing Azlan on Irshad’s “report”, although it was confirmed by sources that the forward - who is also penalty corner striker - did attend the morning training during the camp.

Later, sources quoted manager and camp commandant Jahangir as telling Azlan: “I have not given any negative report against you. Only physical trainer’s report has been sought in your case.”

It is in itself quite astonishing that the recommendation of a physical trainer was sought in a player’s case and the selectors never bothered to seek the manager’s input on Azlan’s attendance in the camp.

If a physical trainer’s recommendation carries more weight, one wonders what purpose the selectors serve because it is, in fact, their duty to watch the players in a training camp prior to final selection. It is, however, a known fact that most of the selectors never even bothered to visit the hockey camp which has now been running since Feb 21.