The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Friday announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming Junior Hockey Asia Cup, set to begin on November 26 in Muscat, Oman. The event serves as a crucial pathway to the Junior World Cup, with the top six teams earning qualification.
Hanan Shahid will captain the young Green Shirts, with Pakistan hockey’s rising star Sufiyan Khan named as his deputy. The final squad was selected following a one-day trial overseen by the PHF’s newly-formed selection committee, which includes Danish Kaleem, Kashif Javed, and Mohammad Khalid.
Speaking on the squad’s prospects, selection committee member Danish Kaleem expressed optimism, noting Pakistan’s strong chances of securing a spot in the global event given their rich hockey pedigree and the team’s promising lineup.
The 18-member squad boasts a blend of talent and potential, featuring Ali Raza and Faizan Janjua as goalkeepers, while the outfield players include a mix of defenders, midfielders, and attackers ready to make their mark on the continental stage.
| Position | Names |
| Goalkeepers | Ali Raza Faizan Janjua |
| Outfielders | Sufiyan Khan (Vice-Captain) Aqeel Ahmed Bilal Aslam Nadeem Khan Mohammad Zain Wasim Sami Zakariya Hayat Mohammad Imad Hanan Shahid (Captain) Mughira Rana Waleed Hamza Fayaz Basharat Qayyum Dogar Saifullah |
The Junior Hockey Asia Cup is not just a chance for Pakistan to demonstrate their prowess but also an opportunity to secure a place among the elite at the Junior World Cup. Historically, Pakistan has been a dominant force in Asian hockey, and expectations are high for the juniors to carry the legacy forward.
The road to the Junior World Cup starts now, and the Junior Hockey Asia Cup could very well be the stage where Pakistan’s next generation of hockey stars emerges.