MANCHESTER: Pakistan have received a timely boost ahead of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup with the return of penalty-corner specialist Muhammad Sufyan Khan and ace forward Abdul Hannan Shahid,
both of whom have recovered fully from injuries and have been included in the 20-member national squad announced for the prestigious event to be jointly hosted by Amstelveen, the Netherlands, and Belgium from August 16.
The two key players had missed the last two legs of the FIH Pro League due to injuries, and their return has considerably strengthened Pakistan’s chances of making an impact at the World Cup.
Pakistan will be making a long-awaited return to hockey’s biggest stage after missing recent editions of both the Olympic Games and the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup. The Green Shirts earned their place in the 16-team tournament through an impressive qualifying campaign in which they reached the final.
Placed in a difficult Group D, Pakistan will face England, India and Wales in the opening round. The group is expected to produce fierce competition, with Pakistan needing at least two victories to remain in contention for a place in the knockout stage.
Failure to secure a top finish in the pool will see them playing classification matches for positions between ninth and 16th. The selectors have retained the core of the side that qualified for the World Cup while reinforcing it with the return of experienced campaigners.
Captain Abu Bakar Mahmood will lead a balanced squad comprising seasoned internationals and talented youngsters capable of challenging the world’s leading teams. The Pakistan Hockey Federation expressed confidence in the selected squad and extended its best wishes to the players and support staff.
The federation urged hockey fans across the country to rally behind the national team as it aims to restore Pakistan’s standing in world hockey.
The team will be coached by Dutchman Bob Johan Veldhof, assisted by Christopher John Bowen of Great Britain and Adnan Zakir. Muhammad Awais Qarni will serve as team manager, while Ashraf Sultan has been named video technician.
Pakistan squad: Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Moin Shakeel, Abdul Waheed Ashraf Rana, Abdul Hannan Shahid, Zikriya Hayat, Arshad Liaqat, Adeel Latif, Ahmad Nadeem, Ghazanfar Ali, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Muhammad Hammaduddin Anjum, Abdul Rehman, Afraz, Umar Mustafa, Abu Bakar Mahmood (captain), Abdul Manan and Muhammad Ammad. Goalkeepers: Waqar and Ali Raza.
