Shahbaz skipped practice sessions, now in progress in Lahore, for most part of last week and the team management is keeping its fingers crossed about the availability of the left winger for the World Cup beginning in Utrecht, The Netherlands from May 21, according to media reports.

Shahbaz had to skip the Indian leg in March but showed signs of progress which prompted the Pakistan federation to include him for the World Cup.

The Pakistan squad had already suffered a setback when right inside, Muhammad Sarwar, was forced out of the team owing to a collar bone injury sustained in a road accident.

Team manager, Islahuddin, however, said Shahbaz Junior has not been ruled out of the team till now as they have another eight days before the team leaves for Holland.

``It is too early to rule him out. Westill have eight days before the team leaves for Amsterdam', Islahuddin said.

``We are providing him the best treatment and hopefully he will recover fully,'' he said.

The Pakistan team leaves for Holland on May 12 to play a couple of warm-up matches in Holland and Belgium each before launching their campaign on May 21 against Malaysia in the World Cup opener.

Pakistan's bid to retain the World Cup had suffered a serious jolt following the injury to Sarwar, who was instrumental in Pakistan winning the Test series against India with brilliant performances in the last two Tests in Hyderabad and Chennai.

Though right-out Rahim Khan has already been recalled for practice sessions Islahuddin said Sarwar's replacement will be decided by the selection committee.

Commenting on the team's preparations, Islahuddin said the boys were undergoing strenuous training and their physical condition was already ``30 per cent better'' than during the Test series.

Players can expect bonanza aftertriumnph

LAHORE: Hockey players can expect a windfall if they perform well in the World Cup championship scheduled at Utrecht in the Netherlands later this month, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chief Akhtar Rasool has said.

``If they retain the World Cup I promise them rewards beyond their expectations,'' he said.Rasool, a former World Cup winning captain, said that it was Pakistan's policy to reward players if they performed well for the country.The magnitude of rewards and incentives were not disclosed by him.

``They can expect more rewards than what the team got after winning the World Cup in Sydney in 1994,'' he said. The players, who usually get small amounts as playing allowances, were swamped with money and gifts after they returned home with the trophy. He said the PHF was keen to keep up the tradition of rewarding players who produced results.

`The morale of the team is very high, especially after it beat India in the eight-match Test series in March this year,'' he said. Infact, after the victorious team came back after beating India 4-3 (one was drawn) Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced a grant of Rs 50,000 each to the members of the team.