Pakistan hockey team announced for England tour

LAHORE: An 18-man Pakistan hockey team has been announced for the tour of England. The team will be captained by Zeeshan Ashraf. Chairman selection committee Hasan Sardar announced the national squad here at the National Hockey Stadium on Thursday. Hasan Sardar said that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) wants to make the best possible team before the World Cup Qualifying Round. Captain of the team Zeeshan Ashraf said that beside playing against England, matches should also be held against Germany, Holland and Spain for getting a good preparation before the World Cup Qualifying Round. On this occasion, coach of the national team Shahid Ali Khan said if the players perform well then the team management would have more options for selecting a better team. The Pakistan team will leave for England on June 27. Before playing the three-match series against England, the national team will also play a practice match on June 29. The PHF secretary, Asif Bajwa will again became the manager of the team and visit England with the team in this capacity.