PHF has stressed that the step has only been taken to fulfill the requirement of having someone to manage the squad. - File Photo

But in doing so the PHF has stressed that the step has only been taken to fulfill the requirement of having someone to manage the squad and Manzoor is still their regular manager.

Manzoor, who also failed to accompany the team for the three-week preparatory tour of Holland this month, will again miss managing the side at the CW Games after not being spared by his department.

“We have a problem on our hands with Manzoor Jr's department Pakistan International Airlines [PIA] unwilling to spare him, which is why he is going to sit out the CWG, too” said PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa, who when asked if the change was a permanent one said that it was only for the duration of the Games.

Meanwhile, speaking to Dawn on Thursday, Manzoor Jr said “I've been nominated as manager of the national team by the PHF for a said period, and that is what I will remain until I hear otherwise.”

But when asked why then his name wasn't mentioned in the 21-member CWG-bound squad, the former inside-right excused himself by saying that he was in a meeting and could not comment on the matter any further.

Bajwa, too, backed him by saying “Yes, as far as we are concerned Manzoor is still our manager. Khawaja Junaid has only been named to fulfill the requirement of manager at the CWG although he is mainly going to New Delhi to work as a technical assistant and chief coach.”

As has already been reported before the team's departure to Holland, Manzoor Jr's department PIA had asked the PHF to take him on deputation but the federation, while claiming to have always taken on expertise on an honorary basis, had informed that they had no provision for that sort of a thing.

Asked if the team would continue to name makeshift managers while Manzoor is held back by his department, Bajwa said “If PIA maintains its stance, we will be left with no other choice but to name a new manager for the team.”

The green shirts, sans Chief Coach Michel, landed in Islamabad the other day with two main players, captain Zeeshan Ashraf and forward Kashif Javed, slightly unfit. Zeeshan is suffering from a hamstring injury while Kashif, too, has hurt his leg.

The players for now have gone their individual ways for a few days' break before regrouping again in Lahore on September 26. Michel, too, will join them then after which Zeeshan and Kashif will have to prove their fitness in order to be a part of the team. The squad leaves for India on September 29.

Squad

Goalkeeper Imran Shah.

Fullbacks Zeeshan Ashraf (captain) and Mohammad Imran (vice captain).

Halfbacks Fareed Ahmed, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rashid, Mohammad Tauseeq and Waseem Ahmed.

Forwards Haseem Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Umar Bhutta, Waqas Sharif, Rehan Butt, Shafqat Rasool, Kashif Javed and Shakeel Abbasi.

Officials Michel van den Heuvel (chief coach), Olympian Ahmed Alam and International Ajmal Khan (assistant coaches), Khawaja Junaid (technical assistant) and Nadeem Lodhi (video analyst).