Karachi, April 28 : 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).(IANS)
Similar
- Moin slams ‘egoistic’ PCB boss Butt, chief selector for ignoring Younis
- Injured Gul doubtful for fourth Test against England
- Latif resigns as Afghanistan batting coach citing gross work interference
- Determined Younis says he ‘knows’ he will be back in national squad
- Pak coach for Iran women’s cricket team
US News
- Sun Pharma Gets FDA Nod To Sell Nasal Spray Astelin In US Market
- Bharti Airtel Gets Hold Of 49% Stake In Qualcomm India broadband
- Facebook IPO issue must be reviewed, says U.S. financial regulators
- Brooklyn to investigate witness intimidation in abuse cases
- Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's & Aurobindo Get USFDA Authorization To Market Generic Cardiac Drug
Belgrade, May 29 : Serbian midfielder Adem Ljajic has been suspended from the national team for refusing to sing the national anthem before his country's friendly against Spain, the Serbian Football Federation announced. 
Rome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal. 
London, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession. 
Islamabad, May 28 : Pakistan cricketer Wajahatullah Wasti has said the Twenty20 format has caused a lot of damage to the techniques of opening batsmen. 
Sydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the 
Pune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.