The chief selector of the Pakistan hockey team Hanif Khan has announced that the squad for the tour of Australia could be retained for the 2012 London Olympics, provided they put in a good performance and stay fit.
The squad, a blend of youth and experience, will be competing in a three-nation event and the International Super Series in Perth from October 20 to November 4 and, if successful, is likely to proceed unchanged to New Zealand for the Champions Trophy.
“We won’t be doing any more experiments,” Hanif Khan said while adding that with the Champions Trophy just months away, it would be a wise option to finalise a pool of players that could also feature in London.
Khan reiterated that experience was not the sole criteria in team selection.
“Players who put up a good performance and prove their fitness in the camp and trials will get the nod,” Khan said.
A total of 25 players are undergoing training in the camp aiming to improve two areas, finishing in goal and penalty-corners.
Squad: The players called for the camp include: Sohail Abbas, Muhammad Rizwan Sr, Muhammad Zubair, Muhammad Imran Jr, Abdul Haseem Khan, Imran Shah, Muhammad Umar Bhutta, Muhammad Irfan, Shafqat Rasool, Muhammad Kashif Javed, Ali Shan, Salman Akbar. Tasawwar Abbas, Muhammad Suleman, Muhammad Imran, Shakeel Abbasi, Syed Kashif Shah, Imran Butt, Muhammad Rizwan Jr, Waseem Ahmed, Rashid Mehmood, Fareed Ahmed, Muhammad Tousiq and Muhammad Waqas.
Squad for Olympics to be finalised after Australia series
