LAHORE: A seven-member Pakistan polo team will depart for Malaysia on Thursday (today) to take part in the World Cup ‘D’ Zone play-off, starting from June 13.

Announcing the squad, Pakistan Polo Association  secretary Lt Col Aurangzeb Mirza and team manager Abdul Qadir Khan Mamdot said that while seasoned campaigner Hissam Ali Hyder would lead the national team, other members are Mohammad Saqib Khan, Raja Samiullah and Taimur Nadeem in addition to Ahmed Ali Tiwana and Bilal Haye as reserve players.

The secretary said though tough teams are featuring in the tournament, the Pakistan team is quite capable of winning the event.

Pakistan are placed in Pool ‘A’ along with Nigeria and South Africa, while in Pool ‘B’, India, Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand are competing.

“The team comprises seasoned players and it would give tough time to all the contenders,” he remarked.

He commented that Pakistan would welcome a semi-final against traditional rival India, adding that they would do their best to beat them.

Team manager, Mamdot, said Pakistan would face Nigeria in the opener on June 15 followed by second game against South Africa on June 18.

He said all boys are in positive frame of mind and eager to do well in the event, adding that it wouldn’t be an easy contest as best teams would be taking part.