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.
Selection team should not close doors until the olympics is away 6 months.One never knows a player gets injured, sick or going through a long period bad patch in his perfomance,so the pool of 25 players is not enough.PHF must increase the number of players in the pool.36 players to be in the camp until olympic team is announced.20 active players,4 observers and rest stand-byes.PHF should go to the champions trophy and Australia with 20 active players.At this time Abdul Haseem Khan is very promising and the team has got a scoring center forward,however it will be wise to have Rehan Butt on the side lines to assist as a utility forward. In todays hockey Rehan could be used in short brusts and he may get some goals as right out and right-in.He could be helpful in making moves as link forward. He is not fit for the whole game of 70 minutes but if one gives him time to get fit until the olympics and keep him with the team and in the camp, one can get 20 minutes in substitution.It can help the team to win crucial games. Actually,now adays all games are important for the team,since we have lost supremacy to win against low ranking teams.I am sure selectors know better, but it just a suggestion.Good luck team.
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