Camp trainees for China tour picked with consensus: Islah
Bureau Report

KARACHI—Newly appointed Chief Selector of Pakistan Hockey Federation, Islahuddin Siddiqui said on Monday that 37-probables named for national training camp were picked with consensus by the selection committee.
“Probables were picked on performances in Champions Trophy and national championship through consensus by the four-member committee,” he said in rejoinder here after casting his vote at Aik School in Gizri.
“Me, Samiullah Khan, Mudassar Asghar and Khawaja Zakauddin finalized the list of the probables after detail discussion,” he said on his return from Peshawar.
“Merit, past and present performances were the criteria while selecting the names of the camp trainees. It came through complete consensus,” he added.
Half-back Dilawar Hussain and forward Muhammad Shabbir severely criticised PHF and selection committee for axing them from the list of the trainees.
They blamed PHF and selecting committee for destroying the game.
Commenting on inclusion of half-backs Waseem Ahmed and Muhammad Saqlain he said both were called for training on the basis of their performance in the nationals.
He made it clear Waseem and Saqlain will be under scrutiny in the camp starting in Lahore on February 21 and their performance will be watched during the trials.
Salman Akbar’s Pakistan team finished a poor 7th in the Champions Trophy just above host Malaysia. Pakistan will be playing a series of five test matches next month in preparations for Beijing Olympics.