Optimism in the air at WSH exhibition match

At 34 years of age, the international career of Zeeshan Ashraf, the full-back captain from the gold-winning Pakistan hockey side during last year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, reached a dead end. Having been told (or at least sent strong signals) that his services will not be needed for Pakistan’s Olympic campaign, the Quetta-born Ashraf realised that he probably will not even have another game to bid the sport an official good bye. That was until the World Series Hockey came calling.

Like its cricketing cousin, the Indian Premier League, the advent of the WSH has given the perfect opportunity for many a star — fading like Ashraf or otherwise — to enjoy their time in the spotlight again. Given a contract with the Bangalore franchise, Ashraf, who even led his country during the 2010 World Cup in Delhi, now has what he had been craving for, a stage to perform his swansong.

Playing an exhibition game in the World XI squad against India XI — studded with many of his long time archrivals — Ashraf said that Indian hockey will benefit from the WSH in the long run. “Now, younger players will get a chance to play alongside experienced names, and that will help them come into national reckoning. At the end of the day, it will definitely be a boost to Indian hockey,” said the former Pakistan skipper.