Pakistan axe top hockey stars for Azlan Shah Cup




Karachi, April 28 (IANS) Pakistan Wednesday axed three leading hockey players including drag flick ace Sohail Abbas for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Ipoh (Malaysia) next month.

Chief selector Hanif Khan told reporters after one-day trials at the Hockey Club of Pakistan that that besides Abbas, former captains Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbassi have been dropped from the 18-man squad because it was 'visible that they needed rest'.



Nasir Ahmed, an experienced goalkeeper, was also overlooked as the national selectors opted for young blood for the Azlan Shah Cup to be played from may 6-16.



Hanif, a former Olympian, said that the senior players have failed to overcome the World Cup disappointment, adding that they should rest and regain their form and fitness.



"We will certainly reconsider them for future assignment if they regain their form and fitness," said Hanif, who took over as chief selector in the aftermath of Pakistan's humiliating last-place finish in the World Cup in New Delhi last month.



Pakistan squad: Imran Shah, Imran Butt (goalkeepers), Muhammad Imran (captain), Amir Shahzad, Kashif Ali (defenders), Muhammad Irfan, Fareed Ahmed, Muhammad Rashid, Zeeshan Ali, Muhammad Tauseeq (midfielders), Waqas Sharif (vice-captain), Shafqat Rasool, Abdul Haseem Khan, Muhammad Zubair, Muhammad Rizwan, Abdul Qayyum Dogar, Muhammad Kashif, Umar Bhutta (forwards).