Major shake-up in Pakistan squad for Hockey Asia Cup

The 18-member Pakistan squad for the 10th Hockey Asia Cup scheduled in Dhaka, Bangladesh from October 11-22, was announced on Thursday.

Muhammad Irfan has been appointed new captain of the team. He has replaced Abdul Haseem Khan, who has been dropped altogether following a dismal team performance in the World League in London earlier this year.

Rizwan Senior is the vice captain of the team.

The team comprises Mazhar Abbas (goal keeper), Amjad Ali (goal keeper), Muhammad Irfan (captain), Atif Mushtaq, Mubashar Ali, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Abu Bakar Mahmood, Tasawwar Abbas, Rashid Mahmood, Rizwan Jr, Arslan Qadir, Azfar Yaqoob, Umar Bhutta, Rizwan Sr (vice captain), Ali Shan, Muhammad Atiq, Waqas Akbar and Ajaz Ahmad.

Standbys: Junaid Kamal, Ali Hassan Faraz, Irfan Jr, Shan Irshad, Saleem Nazim, Qamar Bukhari, Khizar Akhtar, Shajeeh Ahmed and Hassan Anwar.

Officials: Farhat Khan (Manager/Head Coach), Malik Shafqat (Coach), Muhmmad Sarwar (Coach), Dr Atif Bashir (Team Doctor) Abuzar Umrao (Video Analyst).