Kaleem joins Dordoi Bishkek [The News]

Sports Correspondent – The News

KARACHI: Pakistan’s star striker Kaleemullah reached Bishkek on Wednesday to join Dordoi Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s most successful club, on a five-month loan, club coach Zavisa Milosavljevic told ‘The News’ from Bishkek.

“Kaleem reached this morning and will join us,” Zavisa said.

Pakistani winger Mohammad Adil has already joined Dordoi. Bahawalpur-born Adil has signed a one-year contract with the club, who have won the Kyrgyzstan League for record eight times. They have won the AFC President’s Cup twice and also remained runners-up four times.

Zavisa, who served as Pakistan coach for two years, also said that the 21-year-old Adil had adjusted well. “Adil has adapted well and he is really a good recruitment for our club,” Zavisa said.

He said that Dordoi, preparing for the Kyrgyzstan League, would leave for Antalya (Turkey) on Thursday (today). “We will go to Antalya tomorrow for the final stage of preparation,” Zavisa said.

Last year, Dordoi failed to retain the Kyrgyzstan League crown, ending as the runners-up.

“For me it is a pleasure to work with good players, especially with good people like Pakistanis,” Zavisa said.

But he will have to think hard to determine where he should use the Chaman-born Kaleem.

As Pakistan coach, Zavisa was always seen playing Kaleem as a defensive mid-fielder, a place which the player does not like. Before departing to Bishkek, Kaleem, in an informal chat with this correspondent, expressed his desire to play as a striker for Dordoi. “Had I been used by Zavisa upfront during his two-year coaching stint with Pakistan, I would have scored so many international goals,” Kaleem said.

Both Adil and Kaleem were the trump cards of Pakistan’s champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), who will direly miss them in the AFC President’s Cup, the first round of which will be held from May 1-11.

But both Kaleem and Adil will have to be released by Dordoi for Pakistan duty as per international rules. Pakistan will need the services of the duo in the Asian Games which will be held in the South Korean city of Incheon from September 19 to October 4.