KARACHI, 18 January 2008 — Just weeks before the start of next month’s Asian Senior Squash Championships in Kuwait, Pakistan’s preparation for what is one of their most important assignments of the year is in disarray.
The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has selected a four-man team for the Asian Championships but most of the country’s top players are missing from the Kuwait-bound squad.
The players including the country’s number one Aamir Atlas Khan boycotted the national trials after falling out with the PSF top brass. Mansoor Zaman, the Pakistan number two and one of the country’s most accomplished players and Farhan Mehboob also stayed away from the trials.
The PSF was forced to look elsewhere and decided to induct former national Shahid Zaman — a player whom they had earlier discarded as spent force — as Pakistan’s captain for the Asian Championships.
It was decided that only the players, who took part in the national trials will be considered for national duty.
Pakistan are looking forward to revive their rivalry with top rivals Malaysia in the Asian Championships but the way things are going for them it remains to be seen they would even reach the final of the regional team event. Pakistan, who once took the Asian title for granted, lost to the Malaysians in the previous edition of the Asian Championships held in Chinese Taipei two years back.
However, the new Pakistan captain believes he and fellow team members have the guts to take the national team all the way in the Asian Championships.
“I’ve helped Pakistan win the Asian (team) title before and am confident of doing that again in Kuwait,” Shahid told ‘Arab News’ in an interview on Sunday.
Shahid is at the helm of the Pakistan team that doesn’t have a single player with a world ranking inside the top-50 club. Shahid is the best-ranked player in the squad that includes Yasir Butt, Majid Khan and Bilal Zaman.
Shahid, who once rose to join the top-15 in the world rankings, is currently languishing at No. 53 on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) computer because of an indifferent form at the international circuit.
But Shahid vowed to give his best in Kuawit in a bid to inspire his teammates.
“I know as captain, I will have to lead from the front and help Pakistan win,” said the Quatta-based player.
Shahid said that he has been training ‘very, very hard’ in recent weeks and is regaining his rhythm.
“I’m in good shape and hope to do well in both the individual and team events of the Asian Championships,” he said.
Shahid and his teammates are currently preparing for the Kuwaiti assignment in Islamabad and will be taking part in the tournament under the supervision of national coach Fahim Gul.
The Asian Championship will begin with the individual event and would be followed by the team contest top be competed by all the top-squash playing nations of the continent.
