LAHORE: In a strategic move to rebuild and prepare for future continental challenges, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has unveiled an 18-member national squad for an upcoming tour of Bangladesh. The team is scheduled to depart from Lahore for Dhaka on Saturday morning to engage in a friendly series aimed at testing new combinations.
The federation has appointed Imad Shakeel Butt as the captain for this tour, placing leadership responsibilities on the experienced player to guide a squad that features a deliberate blend of seasoned campaigners and fresh talent. The selected players include Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Muhammad Abdullah, and Hammaduddin Anjum. The roster is rounded out by other promising names such as Abdul Manan, Moin Shakeel, Zakaria Hayat, Arshad Liaquat, Ghazanfar Ali, Rana Abdul Waheed, Afraz, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Abdul Rehman, Rana Muhammad Walid, Ahmed Nadeem, and Junaid Manzoor.
A spokesperson for the PHF clarified that the primary objective of this series is twofold: to provide invaluable international exposure to the emerging young players and to experiment with different player combinations. This process is crucial for identifying the strongest possible team lineup for the critical Asian competitions that lie ahead. The spokesperson expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, stating the hope that the national side would deliver a strong performance against the Bangladeshi team and secure victory for Pakistan.
The series will consist of three matches, offering a substantial platform for the team to gel and showcase its skills. The first clash of the tour is set to take place on Sunday at the Hockey Stadium in Dhaka. This tour marks a significant step in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to revitalize its standing in international hockey.
Last week Pakistan beat South Africa in thriller by two wickets in the opening match of the ODIs at Faisalabad.
The hosts chased the target of 264 runs in 49.4 overs with two wickets in hands.
The openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman set 87 runs- stand before Saim Ayub was dismissed on well-made 39 runs.
He was trapped leg before by Ferreira. Soon after his dismissal, Fakhar Zaman was caught at long-on off the bowling of Ferreira again.
