LAHORE, May 26: Four players of Pakistani origin settled in England and Germany will be contesting for the top honour under the newly-appointed captain Zahid Hameed in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) championship to be held jointly by Sri Lanka and Maldives from June 3.
Atif Bashir from the Welsh Premier League Berlin, Germany, will be making his debut for Pakistan while Adnan Farooq of the Tranmere Rovers Club, Zeeshan Rehman of Queen’s Park Rangers and Kashif Siddiq from Eckerd College, Florida, have represented the country earlier as well.
“Atif’s entry has further brightened Pakistan’s chances in the championship as he, like the other three foreign-based players, also happens to be in perfect form,” secretary Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Ahmed Yar Lodhi told Dawn after the federation’s announcing a 20-member team for the contest.
While Atif and Kashif have already joined the ongoing training camp for the championship, Adnan and Zeeshan are expected to follow suit by May 28.
Pakistan, who are bronze-medallists of the 1997 championship at Kathmandu, have been placed in Group ‘A’ along with four-times gold medallist India, Maldives and Nepal, who will be playing their matches at the National Stadium in Maldives’s capital Male.
“The overseas players played their part brilliantly enabling us to achieve a score-less tie with the Asian powerhouse and champions Iraq in the 19th World Cup Qualifier in Damascus last year and their presence in the side this time will hopefully help Pakistan earn laurels,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Akhtar Mohiuddin stated that Atif’s inclusion should provide strength to the national side’s defence and midfield.
Atif returned to the Welsh Premier League in January 2008, switching from the Haverfordwest Welsh League side ENTO Aberaman. His previous spells include 19 league appearances with Afan Lido and Grange Quins clubs in the Top Flight.
Born in Germany, Atif was the youngster Cardiff City trainee when he moved to Wales. He has also played in the Welsh League for Maesteg Park and Taffs Well.
Meanwhile, Zahid, who led the Pakistan under-21 team in the Asia Cup qualifying round where his side beat Singapore in a home and away series, has been named captain in place of the injured Mohammad Essa, who aggravated an old thigh injury in the recently held National Football Challenge Cup in Karachi.
Squad:
Goal-keepers: Syed Sultan Ali, Bilal Rafiq (PIA).
Defenders: Samar Ishaq, Mohammad Ahmed (KRL), Naveed Akram (Wapda), Mohammad Imran (Army), Zeeshan Rehman (Queen’s Park Rangers), Mohammad Irfan, Nasrullah Khan (PIA).
Midfielders: Farooq Shah, Abdul Aziz (NBP), Adnan Farooq Ahmed (Tranmere Rovers), Atif Bashir (Haverfordwest County AFC), Jadid Khan (Afghan FC, Chaman), Imran Niazi (vice-captain), Zahid Hameed (captain), Kashif Siddiqui (Eckerd College, Florida).
Strikers: Arif Mehmood (Wapda), Mohammad Qasim (KRL), Asif Mehmood (Navy).
Officials: Akhtar Mohiuddin (coach), Mohammad Habib, Sajjad Mehmood (Assistant Coaches), Noman Ibrahim (GK coach), Kamran Mehdi (physiotherapist).