Pakistan's preparations suffered a major blow shortly ahead of the event after arguably their biggest medal hope Haroon Khan was banned from competing for the country by AIBA due to the fact that he had boxed for England at youth level.

The 20-year-old lightweight - who is the younger brother of WBA and IBF light welterweight champion Amir - is appealing the ban with the hope that he can represent Pakistan at the London 2012 Olympics, but the issue left his adopted country reeling ahead of the Championships and things didn't improve for them in Baku.

The three boxers that did represent Pakistan at the event performed poorly as Muhammad Waseem - who like Haroon Khan won bronze for the country at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games - was knocked out at the last-32 stage along with Amir Khan, while Mohammad Hussain made an exit after his first bout.

The fact that none of the boxers made it to the quarterfinal stage means that Pakistan has not qualified any boxers for London 2012.

They will have another chance to do so at the Asian Championship that starts in February next year but PBF secretary general Akram Khan wants former coach Roldan back after he led to the team to the double bronze medal success at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games shortly before his contract expired.

"We have the go-ahead for any Cuban coach," said the PBF secretary general.

"But we'll prefer Roldan because the boxers did well under him in comparison to this year.

"We just want the PSB [Pakistan Sports Board] to reappoint him quickly.

"His contract just needs to be renewed."

Pakistan are desperate to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic boxing tournament after they failed to qualify any fighters for the Beijing 2008 Olympics despite the sport being one of the most popular disciplines in the country.

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