ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan has announced national squad for the Pro Hockey League and World Cup qualifying rounds.
Led by Captain Muhammad Imad Butt, the hockey squad comprises 20 players and six officials. The team is scheduled to depart for Australia on February 2.
The announcement was made by Pakistan Hockey Federation Secretary Rana Mujahid and head coach Tahir Zaman in Islamabad. They confirmed that the squad traveling to Australia would also represent Pakistan in the World Cup qualifiers.
There are two changes in the squad from previous selections, with goalkeeper Abdullah Ishtiaq and Manan Raza replaced by Ali Raza and Umair Sattar.
Pakistan hockey squad
The players include Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Ali Raza, Arshad Liaqat, Muhammad Abdullah, Sufyan Khan, Arbaz Ahmed, Hamad Anjum, Moeed Shakeel, Ghazanfar Ali, Zakriya Liaqat, Umair Sattar, Hanan Shahid, Rana Waheed, Nadeem Ahmed, Abdur Rehman, Rana Waleed, Afraz, and Abubakar.
Rana Mujahid stated that the issue of players’ pending dues has been raised with the government, and all outstanding payments will be cleared by Friday.
Head coach Tahir Zaman noted that after a long time, Pakistan will get the opportunity to play against top-ranked teams.
According to the schedule, Pakistan will play in the second round of the Pro Hockey League with matches against Australia on February 10 and 13, and against Germany on February 11 and 14.
