Pakistan’s national basketball team has been officially announced to participate in the upcoming Five-Nation International Basketball Championship. The championship is scheduled to take place in the Maldives from June 15, 2023, to June 22, 2023.
This exciting event marks a significant moment for the Pakistan team as it ends a seven-year hiatus from international competitions, providing them with valuable exposure.
In a press release by the Pakistan Basketball Federation, it was stated that the Five-Nation Basketball Championship will showcase the talents of Pakistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
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The tournament serves as an excellent opportunity for the Pakistani players to gain international experience, particularly in preparation for the upcoming South Asian Games scheduled for next year.
Acknowledgments were given to the Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Ehsan Ur Rehman Mazari, and the Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), Shoaib Khoso, for their unwavering support and assistance.
Both Mazari and Khoso played a vital role in facilitating the training camp for the national team, which lasted for over a month, as well as in enabling Pakistan’s participation at the international level.
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The Pakistan basketball team will be under the leadership of the country’s premier professional shooting guard, Muhammad Shahbaz Ali, while former international player Malik Muhammad Riaz will assume the role of head coach.
Umer Mehmood will serve as the team coach, and Ahmed Ali Teepu will take on the responsibility of team manager.
The selected Pakistan squad includes a talented lineup of players: Muhammad Shahbaz Ali (captain), Abdul Wahab, Muhammad Umair Jan, Zain ul Hassan Khan, Muhammad Shahid, Imad Ahmed, Zia Ur Rehman, Saqib Ullah Mahsood, Mahtab Akram, and Sheraz Aslam. These players have demonstrated their skills and earned their places on the team.
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The upcoming Five-Nation Championship promises to be an exciting opportunity for the Pakistani basketball team to showcase their talent on the international stage. It not only provides a chance for them to represent their country but also serves as a stepping stone towards future competitions, such as the South Asian Games.
The team and its management are grateful for the support they have received and are eager to make their mark in the tournament.
