The training camp of Pakistan Hockey Team for the preparations of 8th Asia Cup commences at National Hockey Stadium Lahore on Tuesday. 22 players have reported in the camp, while Waseem Ahmad and Rehan Butt will report on Wednesday and Salman Akbar will join camp on 27 April. Players had physical training in two sessions on the first day, while the training will be also held in flood lights from Wednesday. The trials to select the final team will be held on 29 and 30 April and the team will be announced on 30.

While talking to the reporters penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas said that he left the Dutch league for the Pakistan team, Pakistan should be the top priority for every player. “I am completely fit and in a good form and I will try my level best to deliver my abilities in Asia Cup. After inclusion of senior players in the team the junior players will get more confidence and team will definitely try to get good results in the tournament.” He said.

Sohail Abbas said that he always gives respect to his seniors, but on their statements regarding inclusion of senior players in the team, I only can laugh on that. These type of statements caused earning bad name to the country. They should not issue these type of statements.

The 22 camp players are Nasir Ahmad, Muhammad Imran, Zeeshan Ashraf, Ehsan Ullah, Zeeshan Ali, Sibtain Raza, Muhammad Saqlain, Rana Muhammad Asif, Fareed Ahmad, Sajjad Anwar, Dilawar Hussain, Waqas Sharif, Shakeel Abbasi, Abbas Haider, Tariq Aziz, Shafqat Rasool Akhtar Ali, Sohail Abbas, Muhammad Irfan, Abdul Haseem Khan, Imran Shah and Muhammad Zubair.

Source: PHF