Thaindian News

Karachi, May 1 (IANS) Pakistan’a new hockey captain Muhammad Imran said the team was determined to win the Azlan Shah Cup to be played in the Malaysian city of Ipoh May 5-15.

Imran, who replaced veteran Zeeshan Ashraf, said the team was on a high since winning the Asian Games gold last year. In Ipoh, it would like to continue the winning streak. Ashraf has opted out of the tournament.

“As a team we are improving and I am confident of doing well in Ipoh,” said the young defender before leaving for Malaysia.

Pakistan will play its first match against New Zealand May 5 followed by games against South Korea (May 6), Britain (May 8), Australia (May 9), India (May 11) and Malaysia (May 14) before the classification matches on the final day.

Last week, Pakistan picked a trio with suspected links to a rebel hockey league in India for the Ipoh assignment.

Shakeel Abbasi, who was appointed the team’s vice-captain, together with the experienced duo of Rehan Butt and Waseem Ahmed was facing the axe following reports that they were roped in by the unofficial league.

But Asif Bajwa, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary, said the trio were cleared for national duty after the players assured the PHF that they will stay away from the lucrative league.

Also selected was short corner specialist Sohail Abbas. But the experienced defender wasn’t considered for national captaincy which was up for grabs after Ashraf opted to skip the Azlan Shah Cup.

Pakistan squad: Muhammad Imran (captain), Shakeel Abbasi (vice-captain), Imran Shah, Sohail Abbas, Fareed Ahmed, Kashif Shah, Mohammad Tauseeq, Rehan Butt, Waqas Akber, Mohammad Zubair, Umer Bhutta, Mohammad Rashid, Haseem Khan, Muhammad Imran Junior, Kashif Javed, Waseem Ahmed, Rizwan Junior, Mohammad Rashid, Waqas Sharif.