PHF announces 21-member touring squad for the Johar Baru Invitational event

Lahore: Five-member Pakistan Hockey Federation selection committee headed by Olympian Rashid Junior announced 21-member touring squad for the Johar Baru Invitational Hockey event starting from October 11.

The team was announced following two-day selection trials held at the Bunda Hockey Ground. Other members of the selection committee Saeed Khan, Waseem Feroz, Qasim Khan and Farhat Khan also watched players in action throughout the last week of training.

The team that is scheduled to depart for Malaysia on October 8 from Lahore will stay in Malaysia following the Johar Baru Tournament to prepare for the Junior Asia Cup starting in the second week of November.

The team will be led by experienced Dilbar Hussain.

The touring squad is: Goalkeeper: Talal Khalid and Ali Haider.

Full backs: Mubashir Baig, Faisal Shah and Atif Mushtaq.

Half backs: Faizan Jonty, Abu Bakhar, Mohammad Qasim, Sikandar Mustafa, M Adnan and Junaid Kamal.

Forwards: Shan Irshad, Azfa​r Yaqoob, Dilbar Hussain, Fahad, Sohail Riaz, M Atiq, Bilal Qadir, Adnan Anwar, Mohammad Naveed and Rizwan.

Reserves: Ali Raza. Full back: Zahidullah. Half back: Asfand Yaar.

Forwards: Sohail Anjum, Mohsin Sabir.

“Almost half of the players have already represented Pakistan internationally while rest are fresh faces and are making their first tour abroad. The team consists of the best talent available amongst the probable turned up for camp training,” Rashid Jr said.

He said that three of the 21 players announced would return home before the start of the Junior Asia Cup.

Meanwhile, PHF president Brig (rtd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar who also watched players in action on the second day of trails stressed on the players who failed to earn a place on the team, to work even harder in an effort to win a place in future international teams. “You should keep your morale high and work even harder. By doing that you would definitely get a chance in future international teams.”