KARACHI Pakistan hockey chief selector Hanif Khan has expressed his surprise over the sharp reaction of forwards Shakeel Abbasi and Rehan Butt after their omission from the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup squad.

“Its a breach of code of conduct and Pakistan Hockey Federation officials should deal with the issue as per the regulations,” Olympian Hanif Khan told APP on Friday.

“It's is very surprising. I myself faced the same situation and was dropped from the team despite assurance from the management for selection in the national team in the past.” Hanif recalled.

“Selection has been given an authority and we fulfill our job on merit, form and fitness. We consider the report of manager/chief coach etc before the finalizing the team,” he said.

Hanif said implementing the code of conduct was job of PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa.

Senior players Shakeel Abbasi and Rehan Butt expressed the surprise over their omission after an 18-member squad was named for the Malaysian event.

“The performance and fitness of those dropped was not up to the mark. Abbasi, Rehan, Sohail Abbas and Nasir all failed to impress us,” Hanif said.

However, he made it clear that all the senior players were welcome in the future provided they proved their form and fitness.

“We can not comprise on form and fitness,” he said.

He said all the players looked fatigued and their performance and fitness in the World Cup was not up to the mark and same was observed in the training camp.

“Keeping in mind all these thing we opted for a young squad with an eye on Commonwealth and Asian Games,” he pointed out.