LAHORE - Zeeshan Ashraf has been retained captain of the 18-member Pakistan hockey team, which is combination of experience and youth, for participation in the Azlan Shah Cup and would later figure in matches in Europe. The selection committee of the Pakistan Hockey Federation on Tuesday picked 13 players from the camp training, which would continue till the team's departure to Malaysia and selected another five from the junior team currently playing a test series in South Africa. Before announcing the team PHF President Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said that there has been contrasting results from the team in the past and the struggle for glory will continue. He was also flanked by selection committee members Islahuddin Saddiqi (chief selector), Samiullah and Col Mudassar Asghar and secretary Khalid Mahmood. "The current team named will represent Pakistan in the Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Malaysia from May 8 to 18 and later it will tour Europe. With minor changes in consultation with the chief coach the same team will play in the Beijing Olympics," said Jamali. The team has been selection on the recommendation of chief coach Kh Zakauddin and the selection committee, he added. Jamali said that the team would return by June 16 and after a brief gap for rest the players would assemble by the end of July for camp training for Beijing Olympics. "The camp will be called at a place suitable for Beijing preparations," he added. He also assured that the team was selected on merit and there was a strong tie in performance between goal-keepers Fasiur Rehman and Nasir Ahmed but experienced was preferred. "Both these players were at par in the camp and Fasi for sure would make his way in the team sooner than later," he believed. It's a good combination of youth and experience and for the last year or so the PHF has extended the base but he also made it clear that several players were given chance and now they were history. "We said that we would give chance to everyone and we did so. They are all part of history and were given chances. Now is the time of young players who will be adjusted in the team in the future," he added. He further stated that the basic team would remain the same for the Olympics and what ever the change would be it would come in consultation with the chief coach. On the team management combination, Jamali expressed satisfaction and stated that nothing was above experience and the purpose was to groom youngsters under the experienced guidance. He was talking about the experience of Khawaja Zakauddin and his team. When a question on the team's fitness was put forth, Kh Zaka said that there was no problem in the team on its China tour and the inclusion of youngsters has rather improved the situation while players like Saqlain, Shakeel developed right combination. The team: Goal-keeper: Salman Akbar Full-backs: Zeeshan Ashraf (captain), Muhammad Imran (vice captain), Muhammad Atique, Kamran Ahmed. Half-backs: Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Saqlain, Farid Ahmed, Muhammad Javed. Forwards: Waqas Sharif, Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi, Muhammad Zubair, Haider Abbas, Waqas Akbar, Shabbir Khan and Shafqat Rasool. Standbayes: Fasiur Rehman, Imran Warsi, Shahid Salim, Waqas Zafar, Nadeem Ahmed, Azhar Iqbal, Muhammad Irshad, Syed Shah, Akbar Ali and Mudassar Abbas.