Visa issues force Pakistan to leave without goalkeepers

Asif Bajwa, the secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), said both the goalkeepers in the Pakistan camp, Amjad Ali and Mazhar Abbas, were not issued visas for Bangladesh

Photo for representational purpose. Picture Courtesy/iStock

Pakistan hockey squad has left for Dhaka to take part in the Asian Champions Trophy without any goalkeeper in their line-up due to visa issues.

Asif Bajwa, the secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), said both the goalkeepers in the Pakistan camp, Amjad Ali and Mazhar Abbas, were not issued visas for Bangladesh. “Because of the unusual situation the squad has left for Dhaka without any goalies,” Bajwa said. He said that, the PHF has decided to send the goalkeepers who recently represented Pak in the Junior World Cup in India— Abdullah and Waqar.

“Since they have got Bangladesh visas we are sending them now to Dhaka as we can’t take any more risks of waiting for visas to arrive for the senior goalkeepers,” he said. Interestingly the PHF on the recommendation of goalkeeping coach, Ahmed Alam had called up seniors, Mazhar and Amjad, to the Champions Trophy camp. “We had decided to keep the junior team goalkeepers for the senior event, but after the team’s poor show in the Junior World Cup the coach felt it would be best to recall the senior goalies,” Bajwa said.

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