Pakistan Rugby Union announced a 26 Men’s National team for the upcoming Asian Rugby Division II Championship, to be played in Lahore, Pakistan. The winner will qualify for Division I.
The two ranking matches between Pakistan and Thailand will be played in Lahore at the Punjab Football, Stadium on the 29th May and 1st June, 2022.
Initially the Championship was to be played by four nations. However, it has been reduced to two teams format, as China and Taiwan will not be able to participate due to Covid outbreak and lock down restrictions in their respective countries.
According to Secretary PRU, Salman Shaikh due to the significance of the Championship, the services of an experienced coach from South Africa, Mr. Gert Mulder have been hired.
Mr. Gert brings with him over 35 years of experience all associated within the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, by coaching rugby in schools, first class clubs to provincial level
As Head Coach of Pakistan National team, Gert said that I have spent a month with Pakistan team and I see huge talent and hope that Pakistan team has a good chance to win perform well.
The Chairman selection committee, Rizwan Malik along with selectors Yahya Bhatti, Mohsin khan and Muzamil Wazeri announced the following team:
Hamad Safdar – captain, Ahmed Waseem – vice captain, Ali Shahid Line captain, Dawood Gill Defense captain, Ali Khan, Anjum Sajjad, Muhammad Aqib Siddique, Arfan Ali, Arslan Mir, Israr Ahmed, Dawood Shah, Faisal Aslam, Kashif Khawaja, Khalid Bhatti, Khurram Shahzad, Muhammad Bilal AKbar, Muhammad Waqas, Muhammad Afzal, Muhammad Haroon, Muhammad Imran, Moiz Shah, Umair khan, Usama Aslam, Saad Arif, Shoaib Wadood Khan and Wasim Abbass.
The team officials include:
Gurt Head coach, Back Line coach Umer Islam, Forward coach Muhammad Babar, Defense coach Shakeel Malik, Strength and conditioning coach Jahangir Nawaz, Medical Doctor Ehtasam, Physio Zia.
