played in Holland from August 16 to 24 is on expected lines. The Tribune had already predicted their recall in these columns on July 8 in the report: “Sohail Abbas’ return to Pak hockey team imminent”. Incidentally the trio had been dropped from the team for the Australian tour on disciplinary grounds for having participated in the German league.In Australia, the Pakistan hockey team put up a pathetic showing. At Perth, Pakistan were beaten by Australia,The disastrous tour led to a public outcry and manager Shahnaz Sheikh became the first casualty. The disciplinary committee of the Pakistan Hockey Federation which summoned the three players for a hearing recommended a one-year ban on them besides imposing a fine for neglecting national dutyHowever, it was national interest which forced the Pakistan Hockey Federation to recall the three key players for the Champions Trophy, which features the world’s top six nations including Australia, Germany, Holland, India, Pakistan, and Argentina. Without Sohail Abbas, Pakistan would have faced further embarrassment, as he has proved to be the team’s trump card in crunch situations. With 196 goals in 161 international appearances ever since his debut in 1998, Sohail Abbas has steered Pakistan to a respectable position on more than one occasion. He was not only the highest scorer in the Asia Cup but was also the joint highest scorer with Argentina’s Jorge Lombi in the last World Cup at Kuala Lumpur last year.
Michael Reiziger
Michael Reiziger
Michael Reiziger
Michael Reiziger
Michael Reiziger
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