Pak hockey team flies to UK for World Cup qualification

LAHORE: Pakistan hockey team has left for United Kingdom (UK) to play 10 Nations World Hockey League Semi Final Tournament starting from June 15 to June 25.

The Green-shirts is part of pool B alongside arch rival India, Scotland, Canada, and Netherlands. On the other hand, Korea, Malaysia, Argentina, England, and China are part of Pool A.

The top six teams of the tournament will qualify for the Hockey World Cup.

Pakistan’s will start their campaign against Netherlands on June 15, while it will face Canada on June 16, India on June 18, and Scotland on June 19.

However, if Pakistan fails to qualify for the world cup it will have to win Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, which will be held in India.

Team will be led by ace striker Abdul Haseeb Khan, while Umar Bhutta has been selected as vice-captain.

Other players include goalkeepers, Amjad Ali and Mazhar Abbas, defenders/halfbacks Nawaz Ashfaq, Aleem Bilal, Abubakr Mahmood, Mohammad Rizwan Jr, Atif Mushtaq, Tasawwar Abbas and Ammad Shakeel Butt.

Team’s forwards include Mohammad Irfan Jr, Arslan Qadir, Ali Shan, Mohammad Dilber, Ejaz Ahmed, Abdul Haseem Khan, Azfar Yaqoob and Umair Sarfraz.