Pakistan hockey squad steps down after World Cup debacle

New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) In a dramatic development, the entire Pakistan squad announced retirement from international  hockey Thursday owning moral responsibility for their poor performance in the World Cup.

Hours after Pakistan recorded their worst-ever showing in the tournament, finishing with the wooden spoon following a 2-3 loss to Canada in the play-off for the 11th-12th places, Pakistan media manager Shahzad Malik issued a statement announcing the team's decision.

"The Pakistan hockey team has announced its retirement from the international hockey after their poor performance in the World Cup," the statement said.

It quoted Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf as saying that "all the eighteen players accepted the defeat in the event and decided to retire from the international hockey."

Ashraf praised the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for doing a lot for the players, but regretted the players could not deliver to their potential.

"We will support PHF in future and will be available if Pakistan needs any player any time," the statement said.

They eighteen players who announced retirement are:  Nasir Ahmad and Salman Akbar (goalkeepers), Zeeshan Ashraf, Sohail Abbas and Muhammad Rashid (defenders), Muhammad Irfan, Waseem Ahmad, Muhammad Imran, Fareed Ahmad and Sajjad Anwar (midfielders), Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi, Abdul Haseem Khan, Muhammad Zubair, Akhtar Ali, Omer Bhutta, Abbas Haider and Muhammad Rizwan (forwards).