KARACHI, July 4: Pakistan hockey received the much needed boost when penalty corner specialist, Sohail Abbas, decided to come out of retirement and will be available for selection for national team if selected.

I have decided to reverse my earlier decision to quit international hockey after consulting my employers Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) especially the managing director, Mr Munawar Baseer Ahmad and other senior officials.

I am physically fit and I am available for future major forthcoming international tournaments Sohail declared at a press conference on Tuesday.

Twenty-nine years old Sohail, quit international hockey in December 2004, declaring that the player should retire at his peak and should also offer younger players an opportunity to make a name for themselves.

Sohail had, however, left the door open for a comeback saying that in case he was required by the national team he would make himself available.

Sohail, who smashed 22-year old record of Dutch penalty corner expert, Paul Litjens for most international goals in 2004, believed that Pakistan despite some unconvincing performances of late was capable enough to become world champions again.

“What I am today is because of Pakistan. So if the team needs and I can play any part in bringing further glory to the nation I am willing to play without any pre-conditions,” he added.

Sohail also categorically stated that although he was contracted to play in Dutch League as a professional but if he was called upon to choose between club hockey and national team Pakistan would always come first.

SSGC official, Naeemur Rahman Akhoond lauded Sohail’s decision and said the company would do whatever possible to promote sports and encourage sportpersons at every level.

Our Islamabad Sports Reporter adds: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Tuesday welcomed the decision of Sohail Abbas to come out of retirement but said that several factors needed to be considered before he returns to the team.

Brig (Retd) Musarratullah Khan, the secretary of the PHF told Dawn that it was indeed a good sign that Sohail was finally willing to make an unconditional return.

"I am happy that he has decided to make a comeback, however a final decision will be made by the PHF president after all factors have been taken into account."

Musarrat stressed that things like timing of Sohail's decision, his physical fitness, the input from the team management and the selectors will have to be given serious consideration before the defender is named on the team.

Sohail, the world's highest goal-scorer with 274 goals in 267 Internationals retired during the 2004 Champions Trophy in Lahore at the age of 27.

The player from Karachi, who converted short corners with assembly-line efficiency and precision almost at will, however continued to play for Dutch Club HC Rotterdam since the summer of 2005.

But Musarrat said that there was a world of difference between playing club hockey and the international game. "In leagues, you are required to play only a couple of matches in a week but here we are talking of big-time hockey."

The secretary clarified that the PHF in no way was against Sohail and pointed out that the federation's stance all along had been that he should not dictate terms if at all he wanted to return.

Sohail's decision had left the Pakistan hockey officials upset. "We told him then that he should have taken us and his department into confidence before announcing his retirement but instead he chose a path of his own."

Days after he quit, the PHF wrote to his employers asking them to seek an explanation from the player. They responded by saying that Sohail was still available to play for Pakistan.

There was confusion when the PHF invited the short corner ace for the next training camp, only to get a snub from the player who reiterated that he had quit. This created quite a bit of embarrassment for the federation.

Pakistan's next major assignment is the Champions Trophy in Spain this month, a title which has eluded them for 11 years now.

The scene of their last triumph was Lahore 1994.

Dutch player Geert Jan Derikx, who was in Islamabad recently had said of Sohail that he was a great player and that Pakistan would do well to recall him and Waseem Ahmed for the Champions Trophy and the World Cup.

"Both Sohail and Waseem are great players and their presence would put other teams under pressure," said Derikx who will be playing on the Dutch team in the Champions Trophy.