Drag flicker Sohail Abbas pitted for Pak hockey captaincy

Karachi, Apr.22 (ANI): Star drag flicker Sohail Abbas has emerged as one of the frontrunners for leading the Pakistan hockey team in the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, to be played in Ipoh, Malaysia from May 6 to 16.

With incumbent captain Zeeshan Ashraf, who failed to lift his squad during last month's World Cup in New Delhi, opting out of the forthcoming tournament, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has just a week to announce the name of the skipper on April 28.

Midfielder Wasim Ahmed and striker Akhtar Ali have also asked the PHF to exempt them from the Ipoh assignment along with Ashraf, who failed to lift his team up during last month's World Cup in New Delhi, in which Pakistan finished on a humiliating last spot.

However, PHF secretary Asif Bajwa said that he is yet to receive the players' request in writing.

He avoided revealing the names of players who are being considered for captaincy, and added that any decision in this regard would be taken after consultations with team officials and national selectors.

"It's up to the PHF to name the captain but we would consider the input from the selectors and coaches before deciding who will be leading the team in Malaysia," The News quoted Bajwa, as saying.

He added that the PHF would respect seniority while naming the new captain.

"We will keep the seniority of players in mind as far as a decision on a new captain is concerned," Bajwa said.

According to insiders, vice-captain Mohammad Imran and former skipper Rehan Butt are also in the running for captaincy. (ANI)