Imran to lead Pakistan hockey team at Asian Champions Trophy
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation announced a new look national squad led by Mohammad Imran for the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy being held in China next month.
The federation said that Imran would captain the side that does not include several leading senior players including Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt, Waseem Ahmed, Shakeel Abbasi and goalkeeper, Salman.
Chief selector, Hanif Khan said that the seniors had been rested but if the juniors in the squad performed well in the Champions Trophy they would be in contention for the upcoming two major events, the world Champions Trophy and next year’s Olympic Games in London.
Pakistan is also awaiting a final clearance from the Indian hockey body to take part in a four-nation event in India before the Asian Champions Trophy in China.
The team is coached by the Dutch, Michel Van Den Heuvel who guided them to their first Asian Games gold medal in 20 years time last year.
Hanif said trying to win the Asian Champions Trophy that will feature all the top Asian sides was very important for Pakistan to keep its supremacy in the continent going.
Pakistan squad: Imran Shah, Imran Butt, Muhammad Imran (Capt), Muhammad Irfan, Syed Kashif Shah, Muhammad Rizwan Junior, Muhammad Tousiq, Waseem Ahmad, Fareed Ahmed, Rashid Mehmood, Muhammad Kashif Javed, Muhammad Waqas Sharif, Shakeel Abbasi (V.Capt), Shafqat Rasool, Abdul Haseem Khan, Muhammad Rizwan Senior, Muhammad Umar Bhutta and Ali Shan. Head Coach: Michel Van Den Heuvel, Assistant Coaches: Shahid Ali Khan & Ajmal Khan Lodhi.