Pakistan hockey captain Wasim Ahmed and world record goal scorer Sohail Abbas retired from international hockey on Sunday after Pakistan clinched its third successive bronze medal at the men's field hockey Champions Trophy.
"I don't want to be kicked out, it's the player who should himself decide when to call it a day," Ahmed told reporters after Pakistan beat India 3-2 in the bronze medal playoff at Lahore's National Hockey Stadium.
Pakistan also beat India to win the bronze medal at the last two editions of the Champions Trophies at Amstelveen and Cologne. Ahmed, 28, played 258 internationals as midfielder and scored five goals. He is now planning to get married.
Abbas, also 28, broke Holland's Paul Litjens' record of 267 goals last month during the test series against India, and scored six goals in the Champions Trophy to end up with 274 goals from 222 international games.
"I just want to take rest because I feel I have played lot of hockey," said Abbas, who was feared as the most dangerous penalty corner hitter in the world hockey.