Our hockey greats

KARACHI: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has arranged a Hall of Fame ceremony which will be held in Karachi. At the ceremony, along with five international hockey luminaries, six Pakistani legends will be honoured.

Following is a brief account of their achievements.

Islahuddin: The dashing right winger possessed lightning speed. In the later part of his career, especially as the captain, he became a wonderful scorer as well. The year 1978 was his and indeed Pakistan hockey’s Annus mirabilis: Under his captaincy, Pakistan won the World Cup, Asian Games and the first Champions Trophy. 

He also captained Pakistan at the 1975 World Cup (silver medal). He was a member of the first World Cup winning squad in 1971. As manager, he guided Pakistan to World Cup silver (1990) and Olympic bronze (1992).

Shahnaz Sheikh:

For the entire decade of 1970s, he remained one of the most feared forwards in the world. Originally a left out, he later played at the left in and centre forward positions mostly. He was equally successful as the right in. 

His medal tally includes two World Cup golds and one silver plus an Olympic silver and bronze.Akhtar Rasool: Winning a World Cup gold is every hockey player’s dream. Akhtar Rasool has as many as three of them (1971, ‘78 & ‘82, when he was also the captain) plus one silver. 

The centre half was the true pivot of the team and a wonderful distributer. He had wonderful anticipation and recovery which made him equally effective in the defence.Samiullah: Called ‘Flying Horse’, he was the finest left winger of his time and may be of any period. His lightening raids shattered all the defences.

He played for Pakistan from 1973-82, has two World Cup golds and one silver plus an Olympic silver and bronze. He is the only Pakistani to score in four World Cups. He captained Pakistan at the 1982 Asian Games when they defeated India by a record score of 7-1 in the final.

Hasan Sardar: He has been arguably the greatest centre forward in the history of the game. He won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award at the 1982 World Cup, 1984 Olympics, 1982 Asia Cup & 1982 Asian Games, with Pakistan winning all these four tournaments. He is also the holder of Pakistan’s all-time record tally in a single World Cup with 11 goals in 1982 which is also a record for any forward for any team in a single World Cup edition. 

Shahbaz Ahmad: He was a complete package. He possessed an unbelievable speed with the ball, stick work and dribbling skills. He mesmerised everyone. His goal-getting passes were precise and he himself was a fine scorer. Playing at the left in spot during most of his long career (1986-2002), he won the Player of Tournament title more than any other player of his era.

In 1994 World Cup, he captained his country to its last global title. He was also declared the Player of the Tournament. He was also captain at the 1992 Olympics when Pakistan last won an Olympic medal (bronze) and also at their last success in the Champions trophy, in 1994.