Karachi (May 27, 2017): Pakistan hockey team have on Saturday departed from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport to play World Cup qualifying round in London.
The team will reach Ireland first to play three-match series against the hosts before the World Cup qualifiers. The Green Shirts will have to show good performance in the qualifying round to ensure their participation in the World Cup that will be played in India next year.
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Abdul Haseem Khan is leading the Pakistan squad. Khawaja Junaid is the head coach, and Hanif Khan is the manager of the team. The national team will be in action against Ireland in Belfast on June 1, 3 and 4, and will reach London on June 10 to play World Cup qualifying round that will be held from June 15 to 25.
Pakistan are placed in Pool B along with Canada, India, Netherlands, and Scotland. Pool A consists of Argentina, China, England, Korea and Malaysia.
Pakistan will play their inaugural match versus Netherlands on June 15. The second match will be against Canada on June 16. Green Shirts will lock horns with arch-rival India on June 18, and play last group match against Scotland on June 19. The quarterfinals of qualifiers will start on June 22, and semifinals on 24 followed by the final on 25.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and secretary Shahbaz Ahmad Senior reminded the lesson of victory to the players before departing.
It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan are the most successful team in World Cup history with four titles to their name. The Green Shirts, who were champions in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994, are now forced to play the qualifying round to participate in the World Cup.
Pakistan Team
Abdul Haseem Khan (Captain), Muhammad Umar Bhutta (Vice Captain), Amjad Ali, Mazhar Abbas, Nawaz Ashfaq, Aleem Bilal, Muhammad Abu Bakar Mahmood, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Muhammad Irfan Jr., Arslan Qadir, Ali Shan, Muhammad Dilber, Muhammad Rizwan Jr., Muhammad Atif Mushtaq, Tasawar Abbas, Ajaz Ahmad, Muhammad Azfar Yaqoob, Umair Sarfaraz
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