Pakistan's hockey captain Zeeshan Ashraf offered to retire from the game following his team's poor performance in the World Cup.

Pakistan finished last in their pool and now will play for the 11th-12th position playoff against Canada.

"I am ready to quit and take the responsibility for the team's dismal show in the World Cup," said Zeeshan. "I am ready to retire but it's the PHF (Pakistan Hockey Federation) which will decide my future."

According to a report in 'The News' on Tuesday, Pakistan's hockey chiefs will take a decision on the future of under-performing senior players after the World Cup.

The team's performance sparked scathing criticism from all quarters, especially for the performance of senior players Sohail Abbas, Zeeshan, midfielder Waseem Ahmed, striker Rehan Butt and goalie Salman Akber.

"The Pakistan hockey think-tank, which will meet in Lahore soon after the World Cup, will analyse the team's performance. It is expected to be a marathon meeting," said a PHF source.

"It will focus on the performance of the senior players, who have failed to do well in the World Cup. There are indications that some of them might be ignored for future assignments."

"Whenever our team loses in a major international event, its management is always shown the door," said another source. "But the players who are equally responsible for the loss are spared. They always come back and fail. There is a chance this time the axe will fall on them."

Pakistan will take part in the Asian Champions Trophy in Ipoh in April before participating in the Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy, also to be staged in the Malaysian city early this summer.

In October, Pakistan will feature in the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi before the all-important Asian Games.

"It is true that Pakistan didn't play well in the World Cup," said a PHF official. "But the problem is that you can't just destroy the team by kicking out all the experienced players because there isn't enough bench strength."