KARACHI: Pakistan have recalled world record holder Sohail Abbas for the
Asia Cup in Kuantan on May 9-16 in a bid to halt their declining
performance.
Abbas, who has scored a record 274 goals in international hockey, last
played for Pakistan in 2006 but then fell into dispute with the country's
hockey authorities after refusing to cancel a contract to play
professionally in the Netherlands.
"We have brought back Sohail and three other senior players to boost
the team's performance as we have to win the Asia Cup to qualify for the
next World Cup," chief selector Hasan Sardar said yesterday.
Abbas, 31, is regarded as one of the finest penalty corner strikers in
world hockey.
Pakistan last month ended fourth in a five-team competition in Malaysia
and there have been calls for widespread changes in the hockey set-up.
Pakistan have also recalled goalkeeper Salman Akbar, midfielders
Mohammad Saqlain and Wasim Ahmed. - Reuters
