LAHORE Official reports revealed on Thursday that centre-half Mohammad Saqlain was inducted in the team despite adverse opinion given against the former Olympian by two Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials.
 
'Saqlain was inducted in the Pakistan team for the Asia and Azlan Shah Cup because of his vast experience and against the opinion that the player had passed his prime playing age,' said sources within the PHF.

Wouter Tazelaar, Pakistan hockey team's foreign expert from Holland to supervise the hockey academies across the country had written in his comments 'I have watched Saqlain minutely during trials and the camp for the Asia Cup and the player is slow and mentally weak. He should not be a part of the team,'

Wouter's comments widely negate Saqlain's own claims. The player after being omitted from the list of 31 probables to attend the camp being held in preparation for the World Cup qualifiers had stated he was enjoying top fitness and form and can still serve Pakistan hockey for another couple of years or at least till next year's World Cup.

Saqlain claimed that he was excluded without any proper reason but the PHF insists that he is too old now to serve the game and does not have the required match fitness to play both halves without any break or substitution.

Wouter's comments were duly endorsed by Pakistan hockey team's chief coach, former Olympian Shahid Ali Khan, who in his official report to the PHF had stated 'Saqlain is no longer an ideal choice for the team as he does not possess top fitness. He should not be included in the Pakistan side for the Azlan Shah Cup [held last March]. The player can only be sent on to the field by giving him several breaks and intervals, which is not good for the team.'

Sources also said that Shahid had also held detailed meeting with PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa where it was decided that Azlan Shah should be the players' last tournament and a younger centre-half should be inducted in the side in his place.

'Even some of the members of the team were not happy with his inclusion and they too were of the view that his place be filled by a younger player,' said the sources.

'We do not believe in ending any player's career but the players themselves too should be aware of their limitations and how long they can be an effective part of this team,' said the sources.—APP.