Pakistan axe top hockey stars for Azlan Shah Cup
April 28th, 2010 - 9:43 pm ICT by IANSKarachi, April 28 (IANS) Pakistan Wednesday axed three leading hockey players including drag flick ace Sohail Abbas for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Ipoh (Malaysia) next month.Chief selector Hanif Khan told reporters after one-day trials at the Hockey Club of Pakistan that that besides Abbas, former captains Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbassi have been dropped from the 18-man squad because it was ‘visible that they needed rest’.
Nasir Ahmed, an experienced goalkeeper, was also overlooked as the national selectors opted for young blood for the Azlan Shah Cup to be played from may 6-16.
Hanif, a former Olympian, said that the senior players have failed to overcome the World Cup disappointment, adding that they should rest and regain their form and fitness.
“We will certainly reconsider them for future assignment if they regain their form and fitness,” said Hanif, who took over as chief selector in the aftermath of Pakistan’s humiliating last-place finish in the World Cup in New Delhi last month.
Pakistan squad: Imran Shah, Imran Butt (goalkeepers), Muhammad Imran (captain), Amir Shahzad, Kashif Ali (defenders), Muhammad Irfan, Fareed Ahmed, Muhammad Rashid, Zeeshan Ali, Muhammad Tauseeq (midfielders), Waqas Sharif (vice-captain), Shafqat Rasool, Abdul Haseem Khan, Muhammad Zubair, Muhammad Rizwan, Abdul Qayyum Dogar, Muhammad Kashif, Umar Bhutta (forwards).
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- Pakistan omit skipper Imran and Waseem from Olympic hockey probables - Feb 18, 2012
- Central contracts for Pakistan hockey players - Feb 18, 2012
- Pakistan recalls senior players in hockey team - Jun 30, 2010
- Seven top players excluded from Pak hockey squad for Azlan Shah Cup - Apr 29, 2010
- Shakeel Abbasi to lead Pakistan hockey team, Sohail Abbas back - Oct 11, 2011
- Abbas overlooked for Pakistan's CWG and Asian Games squads - Jul 29, 2010
- Zeeshan to lead Pakistan men's hockey team in CWG - Sep 28, 2010
- 'Sohail, Akbar will boost Pakistan's chances in Asian Games hockey' - Nov 03, 2010
- Pak hockey coach confident of good show in World Cup - Jan 17, 2010
- Pakistan announce hockey World Cup squad - Feb 06, 2010
- Pakistan hockey squad steps down after World Cup debacle - Mar 11, 2010
- Pakistan's hockey World Cup squad a blend of youth and experience - Feb 07, 2010
- Players emotional, should reconsider decision: PHF chief - Mar 11, 2010
Tags: ali muhammad, dogar, hanif, hockey stars, ipoh malaysia, kashif, khan muhammad, man squad, muhammad rashid, nasir ahmed, national selectors, qayyum, shafqat, shakeel, sultan azlan shah, sultan azlan shah cup, waqas, world cup disappointment, zeeshan ali, zubair