Two men pick squad for Rio qualifiers

KARACHI: There were only two selectors present when Pakistan conducted national trials for the selection of the national team for this month’s Olympic Qualifiers in Belgium.
So it was hardly surprising when the national selection committee headed by Islahuddin Siddiqui decided against making any unexpected decision.
A trio of senior players was recalled expectedly. Apart from that there weren’t many changes as Pakistan gave their squad for the Olympic Qualifiers final shape with Islahuddin declaring that the team will go all out to secure a berth for next year’s Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
It was reported that only Islah and Musaddiq were present at the trials, as Khaild Bashir was in Doha, and Ayaz Mehmood was not informed about the trials. Selector Chaudhary Arsahd passed away the other day.
The trials were to be held for two days but were reduced to one day after the death of Arshad.
Khalid Bashir was in Doha due to his official engagements.
When this scribe contacted Ayaz, he said that PHF neither sent him ticket for Islamabad nor was he informed in writing that PHF was holding trials on June 12 in Islamabad.
Interestingly, PHF press release mentioned that Khalid Bashir and Ayaz Mehmood attended the trials.
Chief coach Shahnaz Sheikh was the co-opted member of the selection committee.
Islah said the Green-shirts were going to participate in a tough tournament and they would have to go all out in all matches to secure their berth in Rio Olympics 2016.
Islah told ‘The News’ after announcing the squad that the team had been selected after going through the report of chief coach Shahnaz Sheikh about the performance of the players in the Australia and South Korea tours, camp training and form and fitness. “The Belgium-bound squad is a blend of youth and experience keeping in view the importance of the event and the strengths and weaknesses of the rivals,” the chief selector claimed.
He said the players must keep in mind that it is the question of Pakistan’s participation in the Rio Olympics, so there is no option but to win matches.
“Otherwise it would be a bigger setback than the failure to qualify for World Cup in 2014,” he said.
Chief coach Shahnaz Sheikh, who is the man behind all successes achieved in the recent past, said that Pakistan would play all matches considering the final of the event so that “we do not lose any point. We will have to get at least nine points,” he said. Shahnaz said the quarter-final would be most important.
“Everybody knows in what circumstances we are going to play the qualifying rounds but the boys are in full fighting spirit.
“The team comprises young and senior players. After the inclusion of Fareed Ahmed, Rashid Mehmood and Rizwan Senior, the team has some mature and experienced players,” he said.
He said the team would reach Belgium on June 15.
“On the very next day, we will play our first practice match against Ireland and the second on June 18,” he said.
Shahnaz said that he would appeal to the nation to pray for the success of the team.
Goalkeepers: Imran Butt and Mazhar Abbas.
Full backs: Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Irfan, Kashif Shah.
Halves: Fareed Ahmed, Muhammad Rizwan Junior, Muhammad Toseeq Arshad, Rashid Mahmood, Ammad Shakeel Butt.
Forwards: Waqas Sharif, Shafqat Rasool, Umar Bhutta, Kashif Ali, Muhammad Dilber, Muhammad Rizwan Senior, Ali Shan, Azfar Yaqoob.
Chief coach: Shahnaz Sheikh.
Coaches: Danish Kaleem, Abu Zar Umrao.
Doctor Asad Abbas Shah.