Hockey and cricket the keys to Pakistan's hopes

Pakistan is expecting to see an improved showing from its athletes at the Asian Games as it seeks top honors in hockey, cricket and wrestling.

Pakistani field hockey player Sohail Abbas plays a shot during a practice session at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore on Dec 6, 2004. [Photo/Agencies]

Once a powerhouse in hockey, Pakistan has not won a major title since the 1994 World Cup and its last of seven Asian Games gold medals came at the 1990 Asiad, also held in China.

A gold medal in hockey would earn the team a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics, but Pakistan will have to defy recent results which saw it finish 12th and last in the World Cup and sixth at the Commonwealth Games - both in India this year.

Pakistan Hockey Federation Secretary Asif Bajwa said gold was the main target at the Guangzhou Games.

"Our main target is to win the Asian Games title and that will help in our bid to revive the sport in the country," said Bajwa, who has come under severe criticism from former players following recent dismal performances by the team.

In a bid to revive its hockey fortunes, Pakistan hired Dutch coach Michel van den Heuvel in June and recalled drag flicker Sohail Abbas, who holds the record for most goals with 306.

"I know about the importance of the event and that is why we have been training hard to give our best in the competition," said van den Heuvel of the Asian Games.

At Doha, in the last Asiad, Pakistan lost to China in the semifinals before winning the bronze.

Pakistan is also pinning hopes on winning gold in cricket - a sport making its Asian Games debut in the Twenty20 version.

Despite a second-string squad, Pakistan will start as favorite with India deciding not to send a team.

Wrestlers Azhar Hussain and Mohammad Inam, who both won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games last month, are also podium candidates. "I hope to win a gold medal because the one silver and one gold in New Delhi have given me more confidence and I want to shine in China as well," said Hussain.