KARACHI, Feb 5: Penalty corner exponent Sohail Abbas stands as the major hurdle between Habib Bank (HBL) and coveted title when the bankers meet new domestic superpowers Wapda in the 50th national hockey championship grand finale on Thursday.
While the bankers badly miss influential penalty corner striker, Wapda will be enjoying an upper hand with Sohail in their ranks. And the sturdy full-back, who left the bankers last year has not disappointed Wapda so far being the top-scorer with 17 goals.
He showed his undoubted class and determination during the semifinal clash against PIA by returning minutes after being hit during a penalty corner despite injury.
But it is not only Sohail who will be causing serious problems for the bankers as Wapda have a young and agile forwards in Rehan Butt, Shabbir Hussain, while Pakistan left-half Waseem Ahmad, who also joined Wapda along with Sohail, will also be there to bolster his side.
Rehan pulled his thigh muscle during quarterfinal against PTCL, and Waseem is facing hamstring problem. But according to Wapda team management, both will be fielded against HBL as their injuries are minor.
Wednesday’s final will also be a test for goalkeepers of the both sides who are two of the finest custodians of the country. Wapda will be having services of Mohammad Qasim, Pakistan reserve keeper, who displayed his brilliance against PIA in the semifinal, while Ejaz Khokhar stands under the bar for HBL.
As for the HBL, they also have the kind of firepower needed to overcome fighting outfit like Wapda. If Wapda will be having an edge with Sohail in the line-up, the bankers have a young strike force which should cause trouble for Wapda defence.
Pakistan spearhead Kashif Jawwad, twice named the player of the match during the championship, who is in excellent form, leads the HBL attack having the backing of Ejaz Rasool, Mohammad Khalid and Haider Hussain.
It was Kashif who struck thrice to help HBL recover from 4-1 down cancelling out Sohail’s hat trick and salvaging a 4-4 draw with Wapda in the qualifying round in Lahore.
Although HBL, the runners-up of 48th edition hosted by Lahore, do not have as deadly weapon as Sohail, international Asad Qureshi, will be utilised for penalty corner strikes by the bankers.
However, Wapda, rated the best at the moment and favourites, are being anticipated to pick the spoils. It will be the first time ever in the history of the championship that Wapda will become the holders if they overcome HBL who play the final for the second time.
The final pushes off at 2.30pm at UBL Sports Complex, while the third place playoff between National Bank of Pakistan and PIA will be played at 10.00am.
The winners will get Rs75,000 apart from the winning trophy, runners-up receive Rs25,000, while third position holders Rs15,000.
The coaches of the winners and losing finalists will be awarded a cash prize of Rs25,000 and Rs15,000, while managers Rs15,000 and Rs10,000 respectively.