Talent-drought forces oldies back into national team

LAHORE - Failing to spot talented youngsters, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has decided to include old players in the team, it was learnt Tuesday. Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan was reported to have said that despite the hardwork, the PHF failed to find quality players. He said the national was participating in the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament with only one goalkeeper. He said that if Nasir Ahmed got unfit then goalkeeping job may be assigned to Dilawar Hussain. Shahid said that the Pakistan team did not play any international tournament for eight months but it is hoped that the team would give better input in the Azlan Shah tournament. He said that the main target of the Pakistan team is Asia Cup. The Pakistan Hockey Federation organised the training camp from February 20 at National Hockey Stadium Lahore. National selection committee invited 42 players from National Hockey Championship. Selection committee short listed 17 players on February 28, while final 18 member team were announced on February 18. Manager Pakistan Hockey Team Muhammad Asif Bajwa said that the team is in good shape and the physical fitness of players is now better. "During the training camp we specially emphasized on the physical fitness of the players. The PHF also hired the Dutch physical trainer for one week during the camp," he said.. He hoped that players will show good performance in Azlan Shah Cup. "Our main aim to win Asia Cup in May and Azlan Shah Cup will give us the help to observe the other teams before the Asia Cup," he added. Team: Goal Keeper Nasir Ahmad Full Backs: Muhammad Imran (vice captain), Zeeshan Ashraf (captain), Ehsan Ullah. Halves: Zeeshan Ali, Sibtain Raza, Muhammad Saqlain, Rana Asif, Fareed Ahmad, Sajjad Anwar, Dilawar Bhatti. Forwards: Waqas Sharif, Shakeel Abbasi, Shabir Khan, Abbas Haider, Tariq Aziz, Shafqat Rasool and Akhtar Ali. Muhammad Asif Bajwa will be the manager, Shahid Ali Khan coach, Kamran Ashraf assistant coach, Faiz Ur Rehman physio and Nadeem Khan Lodhi will be the video analyst.

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