Legendary Pakistani drag flicker Sohail Abbas has refused to travel to India for the upcoming Asia Cup. However, he clarified that his decision is not related to the Pakistani team’s absence from the tournament.
Abbas is currently serving as the assistant coach of Malaysia. The Asia Cup men’s hockey tournament will be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 29 to September 7. The competition offers a direct qualification spot for next year’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in the Netherlands and Belgium.
“I am not coming for the Asia Cup, but there are some other personal reasons behind it,” Abbas, widely regarded as the King of the Drag Flick, told PTI Bhasha from Karachi.
After retiring from international hockey in 2012, Abbas kept a low profile. He took up his first coaching role in October 2024 as Malaysia’s assistant coach, specializing in penalty corners.
When asked if his decision was influenced by Pakistan not participating in the tournament, the 48-year-old veteran-who has featured in four World Cups (Utrecht 1998, Kuala Lumpur 2002, Mönchengladbach 2006, and Delhi 2010) and three Olympics (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and London 2012)-replied:
“No, there is nothing like that. Even before this, I did not go with the team to Australia and China.”
Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup had been uncertain due to military confrontation with India following the Pahalgam terror attack in April.
While the Indian government had agreed to provide visas to Pakistani players for the tournament, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) declined to send its team, citing security concerns. Bangladesh has since replaced Pakistan in this eight-team event.
The Sports Ministry recently outlined its policy toward bilateral sporting engagement with Pakistan, stating that it will neither host nor travel to Pakistan for bilateral events but will not prevent Indian teams from competing in multi-nation tournaments.
Abbas, who has played 311 international matches for Pakistan and scored a record 21 hat-tricks, made his international debut against India in Peshawar in February 1998. He last played in India during the 2010 Delhi World Cup, where Pakistan finished 12th.
He expressed admiration for the Indian hockey team’s progress, which includes consecutive Olympic bronze medals. “The team is doing well, and the drag flickers are also good,” he said.
When asked what advice he would give to Indian captain and drag flick specialist Harmanpreet Singh, Abbas remarked:
“He is playing very well, and it is good to see his performance improving continuously. I would advise him to stay on the same track and keep working hard like this.”
However, when asked about the India-Pakistan hockey rivalry, Abbas declined to comment.
The record for most goals in international hockey is held by Major Dhyan Chand, who scored 570 goals in 185 matches. Abbas, however, holds the world record on artificial turf with 348 goals in 311 matches. He surpassed Dutch penalty corner legend Paul Litjens’ tally of 267 goals during the Champions Trophy in Amritsar in October 2004.
Abbas, who enjoyed immense popularity in India, was captain of the Hyderabad Sultans in the inaugural Indian Premier Hockey League in 2005, leading the team to the title.