Just days after winning their first Champions Trophy medal in eight years, Pakistan would be looking to attain Asian glory when they take on old foes India and other continental rivals at a five-nation tournament in Doha later this month.

The 2nd Asia Champions Trophy to be played in the Qatari capital from December 20-27 would be Pakistan’s third international assignment within a span of four weeks. After finishing third in a nine-a-side tournament in Perth last week and achieving a similar position at the Melbourne Champions Trophy last week, the Green-shirts would be going all out for the title in Doha.

And in the process, they are likely to get the opportunity of avenging last year’s defeat in the final of the inaugural Champions Trophy in Ordos (China) where India were crowned as the champions. India edged Pakistan 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out to win the final.

“Our team is looking good and now that they have broken their Champions Trophy jinx by finishing on the podium in Melbourne I must say that the boys would go to Doha with high hopes for the title,” Asif Bajwa, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary, told ‘The News’ on Tuesday. But Bajwa, a former Olympian, also warned that his players could feel a bit “burnt out” in Doha after spending several weeks on the road.

“Doha would be our team’s third tournament within a short span of time and I hope that our players would rejuvenate quickly in order to give their best in the Asian Champions Trophy,” he said.

One good thing from a Pakistani perspective is that India, too, have been through a similar grind as they would be reaching Doha after having featured in the two events in Australia. South Korea, the other major Asian team, are not playing in the Doha tournament.

Pakistani players would not have much rest as they just returned home late on Tuesday night. The players will have to get back to work after a brief rest as they would be leaving for Doha on December 17.

Pakistan are expected to announce their team for the Asian Champions Trophy on Wednesday (today) following a meeting between head coach Akhtar Rasool and top PHF officials in Lahore.

Even though the previously under-achieving Pakistanis have performed beyond expectations at the Champions Trophy, it is still expected that there would be a change or two in the 18-man squad.

Meanwhile, India have already announced their touring party for Doha with the seasoned Sardar Singh retained as skipper. The Doha tournament will also feature China, Japan, Malaysia and Oman.