Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chief selector Hanif Khan named the 18-man squad for the first Asian Hockey Champions Trophy on Thursday. The tournament would be played in China from September 3 to 11, 2011. In a press conference at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex, Hanif Khan announced the team along with other members of the selection committee Arshad Choudhary and Khalid Bashir after observing a day trials at the same venue. Former Olympian Hanif said that they had selected some new faces for the event and they were trying to use different combinations before the London Olympics, which was the vital focus of the PHF. “Pakistan hockey team have not won the gold medal in the Olympics after 1984 and we are willing to go London with full strength,” he said. “Senior players may come back in the team for the Olympics,” he added.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Imran Shah, Imran Butt.
Fullbacks: Muhammad Imran (captain), Muhammad Irfan, Kashif Shah.
Halfbacks: Muhammad Touseeq, Muhammad Rizwan Junior, Waseem Ahmed, Farid Ahmed, Muhammad Rashid, Kashif Javad.
Forwards: Waqas Sharif, Shakeel Abbasi (vice captain), Haseem Khan, Muhammad Rizwan Senior, Ali Shan, Shafiqat Rasool, Umer Bhutta.
Hanoo bahi made a deep thoughtful decision to give rest to the seniors and get them fresh for the Champions Trophy. The way I know the other selector Arshad bahi, he always come up with a balance team. So, this will be good outing for the team to test the waters in Asian Champions Trophy. The top 6 teams including India, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and China with Pakistan will participate. Even if Pakistan team wins the tournament or ends up on the podium, selectors should keep the senior players until the Champions trophy to guide the younger players and motivate them. Also, these days substitution rules are pretty relaxed, so if one can have 16 or 18 players in a team why not to have 20 players. Like soccer every team has 22 players and if you take American football 49 players are allowed on the the team. Anyways, after the Champions trophy in Delhi the selectors should come up with a final line up to compete in the Olympics. I hope they keep in mind the blend of youth and experience has always produced good results for Pakistan in most prestigious hockey tournaments and time and again this format has favored the side by coming up with very positive combinations. Good Luck Pakistan.
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