The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced the squad for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy to be held in Chennai, India from August 3 to 12.
After the approval of PHF’s president Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, the team was announced by national selection committee’s chairman, Olympian Kaleemullah Khan. The selection committee also includes Olympians Nasir Ali, Rahim Khan, Shakeel Abbasi and international player Laeeq Lashari.
SQUAD
Muhammad Umar Bhatta (c), Akmal Hussain, Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Ehtsham Aslam, Osama Bashir, Aqeel Ahmed, Arshad Liaquat, Muhammad Imad, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Zakaria Hayat, Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf (Vice Captain), Roman, Muhammad Murtaza Yaqoob, Muhammad Shahzaib Khan, Afraz, Abdul Rahman, while the standby includes Ali Raza, Muhammad Baqir, Muhammad Nadeem Khan, Abdul Wahab, Waqar Ali, Muhammad Arsalan and Abdul Qayyum.
Pakistan’s schedule
August 3 – vs Malaysia
August 4 – vs Korea
August 6 – vs Japan
August 7 – vs China
August 9 – vs India
The Asian champions trophy is the last opportunity to test the skills of the players and identify their shortcomings before the Asian Games 2023 in China.
The Asian Games for Pakistan hockey team is most important event as far as its qualification for the Paris Olympics 2024 is concerned. Pakistan must get at least third position in the Asian Games to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Asian Games 2023 in China will be held from September 23 to October 8.
