Asian Champions Trophy Pakistan Hockey Team Announces Departure Date for India
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) confirmed on Friday that the national team will participate in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in India, commencing on August 1.
The team will travel to India via the Wagah Border and will reach Chennai from Amritsar by road. The tournament will take place in Chennai from August 3 to 12.
However, three officials of the Pakistan team are still awaiting visas. The newly-appointed head coach, Shahnaz Sheikh, is also facing challenges in obtaining a visa on time.
The Pakistan team is scheduled to play its first match against Malaysia on August 3. They will also face other Asian teams, including Korea, Japan, and China, during the group stage. The much-anticipated match against arch-rivals India is set for August 9.
The squad includes Muhammad Umar Bhatta (captain), along with Akmal Hussain, Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Ehtsham Aslam, Osama Bashir, Aqeel Ahmed, Arshad Liaquat, Muhammad Imad, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Zakaria Hayat, and Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf (Vice Captain), among others. Standby players include Ali Raza, Muhammad Baqir, Muhammad Nadeem Khan, Abdul Wahab, Waqar Ali, Muhammad Arsalan, and Abdul Qayyum.
The team is eagerly preparing for the matches, and their schedule includes facing Malaysia, Korea, Japan, China, and India during the group stage of the tournament.
Pakistan’s schedule
- August 3 – vs Malaysia
- August 4 – vs Korea
- August 6 – vs Japan
- August 7 – vs China
- August 9 – vs India
