Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Monday completed the first phase of trials for the national Under-18 hockey team at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, Islamabad, ahead of the upcoming U-18 Asia Cup to be held in Kakamigahara, Japan.
Following the conclusion of the initial assessment process, the PHF Selection Committee shortlisted 20 promising players for the training camp, while eight players were placed on the standby list.
The shortlisted squad includes goalkeepers Ghulam Mustafa and Nauman. Defenders are Essam Haider (captain), Hassan Akbar (Vice Captain) and Uzair Ahmed. Midfielders include Muhammad Adnan, Muhammad Zaman Gujar, Usman Ghani, Muzammil Saeed, Shahidullah and Waqar Naeem. The forwards named in the shortlist are Abdullah Awan, Zonair, Rana Abdul Sami, Salman Yaseen, Adeel Afzal, Farhan Aslam, Yahya Najeeb, Muhammad Usman and Shoaib Sultan.
Meanwhile, the standby players include Hamza Khalid (goalkeeper), Nauman Hanif, Haneen Noor, Usman Baig, Usman Asghar, Muhammad Zain, Arslan Siddique and Taimoor Shiraz. According to the PHF Selection Committee, the players’ performances are being evaluated closely during the ongoing camp. The final 18-member squad for the prestigious continental event will be announced on May 21.
The trials and training sessions were supervised by Chairman Selection Committee Samiullah Khan along with Olympians Nasir Ali and Naeem Akhtar, besides Kashif Jawad and Dr. Atif Bashir. Head Coach of the Pakistan U-18 team Qamar Ibrahim and coach Rehan Butt also monitored the trials process. Speaking on the occasion, Samiullah Khan expressed optimism that the young players would make the country proud at the international level through their talent and commitment.