LONDON, Aug 7: Pakistan’s Rabia Ashiq has to show a major improvement in her timings when she runs in the fourth heat of the women’s 800m at the Olympic Park’s track on Wednesday to qualify for the next round.

The 20-year-old Rabia’s previous best timing is 2:10.65, which is not as impressive as those of the other seven athletes of the same group. Rabia’s previous timing is only better than Angola’s Felismina Cavela’s 2:13.89.

Kenyan Pamela Jelimo is a strong contender for qualification as she has the best timing of 1:54.01among the group.

“I know the contest is hard, but I will try to give my best,” Rabia, a wildcard entry, told Dawn. “I am working hard and hope I will improve my timing.”

Earlier, Liaquat Ali, another wildcard entry in the men’s category made an exit from the Games. Although he could not achieve his best timing, he came fourth in the heat with a timing of 10.90, just 10 microseconds behind the second qualifier in 100m event.

Unlike, Rabia, Liaquat was alone as his coach Salman Butt was dropped by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) to replace him with Brig Iqtidar. But the International Olympic Committee (IOC) did not accept the replacement as it was a late decision. Two swimmers, also wildcard entries, Anum Banday and Israr Shah are already out after failing in their respective heats.

Likewise, the Pakistan hockey team didn’t qualify for the last-four stage after being defeated 7-0 by world champions Australia.

Now, the Pakistani contingent of 38 is most likely to go back home empty handed like the previous four editions of the Games.