Hailed as one of the finest drag-flickers of all time, Sohail Abbas has numerous national and international records under his belt. In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, the newly-appointed captain spoke about the captaincy role, his team's preparations and Pakistan's chances at the Azlan Shah Cup and the summer Olympics.

By Amir Husain (20th May 2012)

Arguably Pakistan's most popular hockey player of his generation, penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas made his international debut against India at Peshawar in February 1998 and the following year saw him break the world record for the highest number of goals in a calendar year. In addition to being the fastest player to register a century as well as a double century of goals, he is also the first player to score 300 goals in international field hockey. With 344 goals under his belt, Abbas stands as the highest goal scorer in the history of international field hockey. 

Sohail Abbas, who is regarded as one of the finest drag-flickers of all time, is one of the country's most capped hockey players. During his international career, Pakistan has won 4 gold medals, 6 silver medals and 5 bronze medals - none of which have come in the two most prestigious events: the World Cup and the Olympics. On November 25, 2010, Abbas successfully converted a penalty corner in the 28th minute to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead against Malaysia in the final of the Asian Games which Pakistan eventually won. It was Pakistan's first major victory in 16 years. 

The 34 year old left full back has been recently named captain of the Pakistan team for the upcoming Azlan Shah Cup and is likely to be retain the captain's arm-band for the London Olymics as well. In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, the newly-appointed captain spoke about the captaincy role, his team's preparations and Pakistan's chances at the Azlan Shah Cup and the summer Olympics


PakPassion.net: You've been playing for Pakistan for more than a decade now, and you have some fantastic achievements under your belt. It is rather surprising that you've only just been offered the opportunity of captaining the side for the first time in your career. Your thoughts? 

Sohail Abbas: Everything has a time - and ALLAH gave me my chance now - all I know is that I have been given this opportunity and I will do my best to fulfil this role and bring glory for my country. 


PakPassion.net: You are now a captain, who has been the captain who you enjoyed playing under the most? Have you learned a lot from this particular captain? 

Sohail Abbas: No one in particular comes to minds but I have adopted the things that I liked and the things that I thought were better for the team. It wasn’t that something was better than something else. There was no particular idol, but the thing about former Pakistan captain Akhtar Rasool Sahib is that he was so passionate and one of the players who had reached the summit of success – he also happens to be our manager. It’s not that I am trying to adopt from one, but trying to adopt as much as I can from all.


PakPassion.net: You obviously have a reputation as a penalty corner specialist. Is there anyone in the team that you think can be your successor? 

Sohail Abbas: My successor will be the entire team. In the end hockey is a team game, and if the team works hard it will win. If we work hard on our penalty corners then we will achieve success. Always there will be someone who hits the ball and someone who receives it. They are all successful players. It is not just one player, but the entire team who leads to our success. We have a good mix with youngsters as well as many seniors who have played over 50 matches. So I will say that all the players are hardworking and will continue the tradition.


PakPassion.net: Over your career you have played many games and Pakistan has only won one major gold medal, in the Asia Games in 2010. Do you think that was a true reflection of the ability and talent available to Pakistan at that time? 

Sohail Abbas: If you look at the Pakistani team from yesteryear it was filled with several individual players with extraordinary talent. At that time they achieved a lot of success and Pakistan was well on top in hockey whereas other teams weren’t doing that well. Every player in his position was the best. 

In today’s time it is no longer like that. We do not have a team with strengths in all departments as we did before. But what I will say is that in the 2010 Asia Games we had a good team, and so we achieved success. To build a good team takes time. Yes it took us some time, but it was great to win the gold medal after 20 years. 


PakPassion.net: It is often a difficult question, but what do you consider to be the greatest achievement of your career thus far? 

Sohail Abbas: Inshallah I hope that my greatest achievement is yet to come. But if I look at what has already occurred, there have been many memorable performances. You tend to remember those performances which required a lot of work and won laurels for the country. One performance of that type that comes to mind is the goal I scored in Malaysia in the Asia Cup semi final (1999 against Malaysia), at that time I was injured and taken out on a stretcher, but we made the finals. I was out for 3 months. I was disappointed, but also satisfied that I had tried my best and had done something for my country.


PakPassion.net: Speaking of Malaysia, tomorrow you are heading off for the Azlan Shah Cup. How did the training camp go? 

Sohail Abbas: Camp went well. There was a slight hurdle, as there was also a junior Asia Cup happening in Malaysia and several of our youngsters were away participating in that. So unfortunately we couldn’t really hold a camp with all the players we wanted to as some are still in Malaysia. The 11-12 players in the camp did work hard, but obviously it is not the same without the entire squad. We will now travel to Malaysia where we will meet up with the rest of the boys and spend 4-5 days in collective training which will be good for the team.


PakPassion.net: Were there any particular areas that you concentrated on? 

Sohail Abbas: We worked on all aspects of the game – the overall game. Most of it was concentrated on the basics of the game – so this would include areas such as finishing and hitting or stopping.


PakPassion.net: In the past, hockey was about the skill and the flair. It was very much an individual game, but obviously there was team play also. With some of the new rules in the game, where the goalkeeper is in front of you looking like a box, do you think the old game was more beautiful in comparison to today’s game?

Sohail Abbas: Every thing changes with time. If you compare an old vehicle with a new one, obviously we will like the new one better. But in its time this old vehicle was also looked at as a favourite. Games are the same. In those times, the game looked beautiful and the player’s skill level appeared beautiful. Now with the rule changes, it is another sort of beautification of the game and is also pleasing to the eye. Hockey has become faster and become a more fitness oriented game, which has made it fun. It is probably the toughest game out there after Ice Hockey. One thing they can improve is to add the Asian style of the game to the European structure of hockey. There would be nothing better for the game and this is what we are trying to do as well.


PakPassion.net: To me, it seems like an unfair advantage that hockey has become a more physical game, as the Western teams are generally stronger physically. Do you think that Asian teams such as Pakistan can compete at that level of physical play?

Sohail Abbas: I always say that the player should be passionate towards the game and the entire team should play as one unit. You mentioned that the western teams are physically bigger and stronger. However, if you play as a team, all these things don't matter. Once you stop playing as a team, that's when these factors about them being physically bigger and stronger come into play. Furthermore, as far as physique is concerned, players who are smaller and slim are also much quicker and sharper in their game. Take for example, Shahbaz (senior). He was quick, slim, and excellent at dodging. If we look at the European teams of today, they are tough, but not as large in size as you need to be a certain size to be nimble on the pitch. If you think about, our real issue is the problem of acclimatization in European conditions.


PakPassion.net: We've been informed that the Azlan Shah tournament will be played on blue turf. In your view, does this make a difference in adjusting to the conditions, and is it a problem?

Sohail Abbas: It's not really a problem. However, we have never practised or played in such conditions. Also, they will use yellow balls. Obviously, these things will call for some adjusting to the play conditions. Another point is that other teams have played there and this is the first time we will be playing in such condition, so naturally they will have somewhat of an advantage to begin with. However, I am confident that if we are able to train for four to five days, we should be able to get accustomed to these conditions fairly easily.


PakPassion.net: Realistically speaking, how do you rate Pakistan's chances in the upcoming Olympics?

Sohail Abbas: InshaAllah (God-willing), we have a very good chance of winning the Gold in Olympics. I am confident that we (our team) will put in their maximum effort in training and that will be visible through our performance. While having complete faith in Allah, and working hard in training and going with the positive intent of performing, we can be very hopeful of having a good chance. Our job is put in the effort, which is in our control, the rest is in Allah's hand. With all help of the duas (prayers), we are confident that as a team we will perform well and will strive to improve our rankings to be in the top four.


PakPassion.net: Is there a particular match that you are looking forward to? Of course, the Indo-Pak encounter will always be one. But are there any other teams that you are looking forward to playing?

Sohail Abbas: In Olympics, I would say every match is equally important to us and we would treat each one as a final, not taking any one match lightly or easy. As they say, the most difficult match is the one you think will be the easiest!


PakPassion.net: You mentioned the Pakistan Junior team which is currently in Malaysia. Are there any specific players that you feel are good prospects to play for the senior team?

Sohail Abbas: There are several good upcoming players. To name a few, there is Taufeeq, Kashif Shah, Rizwan and Umar Bhutta.


PakPassion.net: Do you feel that these youngsters could soon feature in the senior team?

Sohail Abbas: Definitely. These are the best of the players that we have available. In the early days, there would be a good number of quality players and some extraordinary ones as well. These days, we don't have the quality of players and these are the only players we have.


PakPassion.net: There were two other names that are in your team currently, Mohammad Imran and Imran Warsi. They are currently not playing in the camp. Have they been discarded?

Sohail Abbas: Yes, they aren't playing in the camp. Both Mohammad Imran and Imran Warsi are very talented players. Imran Warsi has also played in Russia.


PakPassion.net: Sohail, what would you say is the reason that these players were not able to establish themselves and integrate themselves into the side?

Sohail Abbas: I don't know exactly. This is more of a matter between the Hockey Federation and them, so I cannot really make a comment on that.


PakPassion.net: Finally, a couple of questions about cricket. I am sure that you watch cricket. When you are on a tour, do you still follow cricket?

Sohail Abbas: We all play cricket and I am very into it as well. I also make sure to follow Pakistan's matches. In fact, when we have lengthy training sessions that have spanned over four, five, or six days, we often time go to the management saying that we need to rest and relax and play cricket! The game itself is easy to play and all you need is a bat and ball, unlike Hockey were everyone needs a stick. All of us players, play cricket, even during the camp.


PakPassion.net:: Thank you for your time Sohail. On behalf of PakPassion and its members, best wishes to you and the entire Pakistan team in the upcoming Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament and the Olympics.InshaAllah (God-willing), you will have success in these tournaments.

Sohail Abbas: Thank you.

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