Recalled Shahbaz to retire again

But with the Games hockey tournament starting here on Wednesday, the two players have suddenly earned a late recall. The recall is the latest twist in the long running saga surrounding Shahbaz.

Four times he has fallen out with the authorities and quit only to announce he was willing to return if required. The answer has always been an emphatic “yes” but this new return by Shahbaz, who was dropped by former manager Islahuddin Siddiqui in the latter stages of the World Cup, is the strangest yet given that the present Pakistani management says the Commonwealth Games is an ideal build-up for far more important Asian Games in December.

The gold medallists in Bangkok qualify automatically forthe Olympics.

However, Zakaudin, the Pakistani team manager, announced that Shahbaz, Tahir and two other Pakistani veterans Mohammed Shahbaz and Naveed Alam would be playing in Kuala Lumpur. The return of the trio once again illustrates the politically infighting that dogs Pakistani hockey.

The recent case of Pakistan manager Islahuddin, the only Pakistani captain to lead his side to the triple crown of the World Cup, Asian Games and Champion’s Trophy in the same year, illustrates the problems.

Islauddin was angered when Shahbaz Ahmed Senior and Tahir were selected for the World Cup, because he wanted to blood younger players.

While Islauddin paid with his job, his successor Zakaudin sees no problem in insisting that the youth policy will continue despite recalling the veterans.

However, Pakistan’s free dribbling, free scoring approach which has delighted spectators round the world appears to be a thing of the past following recent comments by coach Shanaz Sheikh.

Shahnaz, who took over from AyazMahmood two months ago, said Pakistan could not dwell on the past glory and had no choice but to introduce drastic changes into their game.