Pakistan is looking beyond India match: Ashraf

NEW DELHI: Pakistan hockey captain Zeeshan Ashraf is not looking only at Sunday’s opening encounter with India, but the first three matches of his team in the World Cup.

Ashraf says beating India may give Pakistan immense satisfaction personally, but the first three matches will give the four-time winners an indication of where they stand in the 12-nation tournament. After India, they play Spain and England in Group B.

“The match against India is crucial and a win would certainly lift the team, but actually the first three matches will let us know where we are heading to in the tournament. Our aim is a semi-final finish,” said the full-back who turns 32 on the day of the match.

Ashraf said handling the pressure will be the key and that he was confident his boys would repeat their performance of Salta, Argentina, where they thrashed India 6-3 in the Champions Challenge.

“Pressure will certainly be there but that will be on both sides. We have a good mix of youth and experience, and youngsters will be under some pressure. So it is up to seniors like me, Sohail Abbas and Shakeel Abbasi to make them comfortable,” he said.

Ashraf is well aware of the expectations back home, and said that Pakistan will give their best.

“People in both countries have high expectations from their teams. What they say back home is ‘lose to anyone but not to India’,” he said.

On famous drag-flicker Sohail’s role, Ashraf said: “Sohail is the best short-corner expert we have and our forward line has a definite plan of attack. Mohammed Imran is another key player in our scheme of things.”