Meanwhile, Pakistan’s hockey players are getting ready for the Hamburg Masters by training strenuously at the HCP.

Head coach Jahangir Butt told ‘The News’ that in spite of the hot weather and the holy month of Ramazan, training is in full swing at the camp.

“We aim significant improvement in several areas especially the defence,” said the former Olympian, pointing out that one of the biggest reasons behind Pakistan’s poor eighth position finish in last month’s Olympic was their porous defence.

Another major concern for Butt and fellow team officials is Pakistan’s below-par conversion rate off short corners.

“We have to work on our short corner conversion ability because that is also a big area of concern,” he pointed out.

Pakistan are to play against Olympic champions Germany, Belgium and Malaysia in the Hamburg Masters.