![Pakistan suffer setback as Harun Hamid ruled out of upcoming matches [Geo Super]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Harun-Hamid-training.jpg "Pakistan suffer setback as Harun Hamid ruled out of upcoming matches [Geo Super]")
by Faizan Lakhani
Pakistan’s star midfielder Harun Hamid on Friday was ruled out of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan due to injury.
Hamid was carrying injury when he came to the ongoing Pakistan camp ahead of the qualifiers next month.
Hamid scored the only goal for Pakistan against Cambodia in the first round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers to help his side qualify for the second round for the first time in their history.
The medical panel of Pakistan team dropped Hamid from the squad after assessing his fitness.
Pakistan are at the bottom of Group G as they have lost all four matches they have played so far. Pakistan began their journey with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia in Al-Ahsa in November followed by a 6-1 loss at the hands of Tajikistan at Islamabad in the same month.
Jordan then defeated Pakistan 3-0 in Islamabad in a game held in Ramadan with the Shaheens also losing the reverse fixture 7-0 at the Amman International Stadium.
Pakistan will face Saudi Arabia on June 6 and Tajikistan on June 11 in their final two matches of the second round.
Published in Geo Super, 31 May 2024
The News adds:
ISLAMABAD: [Harun] Hamid, who was carrying an injury, was asked to return to England by the team management ahead of the Pakistan’s World Cup football qualifying round match against Saudi Arabia on June 6.
“The management and team coaches were unhappy at [Harun]’s behavior, adding that he should not have joined the camp, carrying injuries,” a source within the team, when contacted, said.
Currently 28 players are getting training at the camp underway at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad. The total strength will be reduced to 24 within the next few days.