The trend and culture to play league hockey abroad is growing rapidly and Pakistani players appear to be in demand.
Although so far only Mashood Hussain from Pakistan is reported to have played hockey in Australia, there are more to follow . Two Pakistani hockey players will exhibit their talents in Australia. Habib Bank forwards, Muhammad Khalid and Ejaz Rasool are undertaking a season with Melbourne State League 1 club, St.Kilda Powerhouse. In recent times, both players were probables for the Sydney Olympic Games but did not make the final cut. Both players have represented Pakistan at both junior and senior level.
Mohammad Khalid had captained the Pakistan in the JWC held in Milton Keynes and later represented Pakistan senior team as well. Khalid was a classy player but unfortunately he could never be utilized properly. Ejaz Rasool also made it to the Pakistani team and both were still in contention during the recent camp.
Habib Bank hockey manager, Mr. Iftikhar Syed (coach of Pakistan during Sydney Olympics) realises this experience is a step forward for the club in not only establishing cross-cultural sporting ties with Australian clubs but allows both forwards to be exposed to a different style of hockey and improving disciplinary areas of their defensive games.
The project has been facilitated by Misbah Khan, a Pakistani-Australian who has arranged the contracts and has previously been Liaison Officer with the
National Hockey Team on their tours of Australia for Champions Trophy and Sydney Olympics.
The hockey standard according to Misbah is very competitive with the next two games yielding opposition that includes David Wansborough and Jay Stacey. A successful season by both Pakistanis may just pave the way for interest in other Pakistani hockey players in coming seasons.