LAHORE, Sept 13: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has dropped assistant coach Shahid Ali Khan from Asia Cup squad to accommodate the newly-hired physiotherapist.

The tournament is scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 21 to 28.

A PHF press release on Saturday said the decision has been taken as the hosts have allowed only four officials with the team.

The four officials who will go to Malaysia are manager Abdul Rashid Junior, coach Tahir Zaman, physiotherapist Derek Verder and Dr Waqar.

Olympian Shahid was attached with the national team as goalkeeping coach since March’s Azlan Shah Cup this year. He was also goalkeeping coach during June’s Australian tour where team finished at fourth in the two three-nation tournaments.

During Shahid’s tenure, goalkeeper Ahmad Alam gave one of the worst-ever performances of his career at the Amstelveen Champions Trophy last month where he conceded 25 of the total 27 goals.