PHF announces 20-member squad for Pro League matches against Belgium, England

The Pakistan Hockey Federation on Thursday announced a 20-member national squad for the upcoming Pro League matches against Belgium and England, with goalkeeper Muneeb-ur-Rehman — the hero of Pakistan’s Nations Cup semi-final — notably left out of the team.

According to the announced squad, Waqar and Ali Raza have been selected as the two goalkeepers for the tour.

The full-backs named in the squad are Abu Bakr, Arbaaz Ahmed, Muhammad Abdullah and Sufyan Khan.

The midfield department includes Nadeem Khan, Imad Shakeel Butt, Moin Shakeel, Hammad Anjum and Zakaria Hayat.

The forwards selected for the squad are Ghazanfar Ali, Muhammad Imad, Rana Waleed, Abdul Rehman and Afraz Khan. Rana Waheed, Ahmed Nadeem, Arshad Liaquat and Hanan Shahid have also been included among the forwards.

The squad was announced after approval from the PHF president.

Officials said 21 players had initially been shortlisted following two days of trials, after which the final 20-member squad was sent to the PHF president for approval.

The federation also said that, on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, players will receive a daily allowance of $110 in advance during the tour.

The names of reserve players for the event will be announced later.