By Sify Correspondent
New Delhi: All the 18 members of the Pakistan hockey team announced their retirement from international hockey following the four-time champions’ 12th place finish in the Hockey World Cup.
The Pakistan team finished 12th, their worst ever finish, in the World Cup after losing to 2-3 to Canada in the 11th-12th place playoff in New Delhi Thursday.
In a media statement, team manager Shahzad Malik said: “All the 18 Pakistan hockey players will retire from international hockey after their poor performance on the World Cup.”
Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf said that all the 18 players feel that they are responsible for the defeat and have decided to retire from international hockey.
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“Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) have done a lot for the players, but the players have failed to deliver. We will support PHF and we will also be available if Pakistan needs any player any time,” said Ashraf.
Pakistan Hockey Federation Qasim Zia, a member of the 1984 Olympic gold winning squad, has dissolved the team management and National Selection Committee after the poor performance of the team in World Cup.
All those who have been booted out are team manager Asif Bajwa, coach Shahid Ali Khan and assistant coach Shafqat Malik. The selection committee comprising chief selector Hassan Sardar, Rana Mujahid Ali, Khalid Bashir, Farhat Khan and Muhammad Shafiq have also been sacked. Bajwa, however, is holding on to his position as the PHF secretary-general.
Pakistan Hockey Federation Qasim Zia, a member of the 1984 Olympic gold winning squad, has dissolved the team management and National Selection Committee after the poor performance of the team in World Cup.
All those who have been booted out are team manager Asif Bajwa, coach Shahid Ali Khan and assistant coach Shafqat Malik. The selection committee comprising chief selector Hassan Sardar, Rana Mujahid Ali, Khalid Bashir, Farhat Khan and Muhammad Shafiq have also been sacked. Bajwa, however, is holding on to his position as the PHF secretary-general.
