Karachi: The Pakistan Hockey Federation has appointed experienced defender, Mohammad Imran as the captain for next month's Champions Trophy that will be held in Melbourne, Australia.
Imran has replaced the high-profile Sohail Abbas, who was captain of the team during the London Olympics but has been dropped after Pakistan finished seventh in the mega event.
Imran, who lead Pakistan at the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy last year, will lead a squad for two major events in Australia that more of less has the same set of players who took part in the Olympics.
Pakistan will first take part in a nine-a-side event in Perth in late November and then play in the Champions Trophy. Interestingly, this is for the first time that chief coach and manager, Akhtar Rasool and coach Hanif Khan have selected the squad after PHF ended its policy of having a national selection committee after the London Olympics.
Rasool and Hanif have retained the experienced midfielder, Waseem Ahmad, who had retired soon after the London Olympics and forward, Shakeel Abbasi in the squad.
Imran Shah has been retained to stand in goal despite a below par performance at the Olympics.
Pakistan have been grouped with hosts Australia, Belgium and London Olympics silver medalists Netherlands in Pool B, while Pool A consists of Olympic gold medalists Germany, England, New Zealand and India.
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