Former champions Pakistan recalled penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas for the Champions Trophy hockey tournament, to be held in Amsterdam, between August 16 and 24.

The ace full-back was dropped for the team's tour of Australia last month because he played in a tournament in Germany between May and July without obtaining the necessary permission from the Pakistan Hockey Federation.

PHF president General Abdul Aziz Khan said Abbas was recalled considering his past performances for the country.

Abbas, who is Pakistan's all-time top scorer with 196 goals in 161 internationals, makes a return to the 18-man squad with Mohammad Nadeem and Waseem Ahmed, who also did not figure in the team for the Australian tour.

Nadeem was re-installed as captain of the team.

Pakistan, who have won the tournament of elite nations thrice, finished third at the last edition.

The team:

Goalkeepers: Ahmed Alam, Salman Akbar

Full-backs: Sohail Abbas, Ali Reza, Zeeshan Ashraf

Half-backs: Ghazanfar Ali, Mohammad Saqlain, Mohammad Waseem, Dilawar Hussain, Adnan Massood

Forwards: Rehan Butt, Mudassar Ali Khan, Kashif Jawwad, Mohammad Nadeem, Mohammad Shabbir Hussain, Sameer Hussain, Khalid Salim, Mohammad Asim.