IPL snub and current form of hockey team will boost Pakistan’s confidence, says Shahbaz

DHANANJAY ROY

AT THE peak of his powers, there were few in world hockey who could match Shahbaz Ahmed for speed and skill. Therefore, it’s not surprising that he was nicknamed ‘The Man With The Electric Heels’. And quite naturally, it was during his golden years that Pakistan won their fourth

World Cup in 1994.

So influential was Ahmed as a forward in the 90’s that he’s still the only player in the history of the game to have won the player of the tournament award in two consecutive World Cups in 1990 (Lahore) and 1994 (Sydney).

Ahmed is currently the deputy general manager of Pakistan International Airlines and is based in Islamabad. Although he’s not involved with the game fully these days, he’s still looking forward to the World Cup. “Pakistan have been preparing well but I doubt whether we will be able to match up to the other top teams,” said Ahmed yesterday.

“With foreign teams refusing to tour our country, we clearly lack exposure and this could affect us,” he added. And what does he make of the first game that Pakistan play against India on February 28? “I think Pakistan will hold an edge. We played well and beat India at the Champions Challenge recently. That will boost the confidence of the boys. The IPL controversy too could motivate them.”

Ahmed feels the current fracas that was witnessed in Pune regarding players’ demands could affect India adversely. “I heard about the controversy. It’s important that players attend camps with relaxed minds, but evidently, they were thinking of a lot many things there.”

Its worth noting that Pakistan have players like Sohail Abbas and Wasim Ahmed who have come back after announcing their retirements. Will they be able to regain the form that made them household names in the past? “Coming back is never easy. Though they have played a few tournaments for the team recently, getting back to peak form will be challenging,” reckoned Ahmed who himself came back to play the 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur after retiring from international hockey in 1996.

RUCKUS AT NATIONAL STADIUM AS SCRIBES ARE SHUNTED OUT

AS THE Indian hockey team began getting a feel of the National Stadium yesterday, ruckus erupted outside the World Cup venue with authorities shunting out media on the pretext of security. A lensman desperate to get a peek inside jumped the gates only to be caught by the policemen, a handful of journalists sneaked in through unguarded gates while the rest fumed in frustration.And all this while the hockey team practiced inside. Incidentally, the stadium was inaugurated barely 10 days ago by Sports Minister MS Gill amid huge presence of media.The team had been practicing in Pune till the end of January. PTI