Ex-cricket greats of Pakistan have knocked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the selection of the 30-man World Cup squad. The squad was revealed yesterday and former captain and all-rounder Shoaib Malik was not considered for selection.
As reported earlier here, tainted trio comprising of Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were not available for selection, so they had to be ignored. On the other hand, Shoaib Malik, Danish Kaneria and Kamran Akmal were also uncertain for the World Cup squad, but PCB didn’t identify any reason for doubt over their selection.
However, with a surprise selection of Muhammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal was managed to be selected amongst the 30-probables while Shoaib Malik and Danish Kaneria were ignored.
Former batsman Zaheer Abass, aka Asian Bradman, was not happy with the board over the selection of Muhammad Yousuf. He said, “Yousuf hasn’t played any competitive cricket for a long time. He is struggling with his form and fitness and is not match fit. You aren’t sure whether he will be able to play three to four matches on the trot in the world cup.”
Not happy with the timing of the selection, Zaheer Abbas further stated, “We all know that the suspended trio is facing an independent International Cricket Council (ICC) tribunal hearing in Doha from 6 January, and if any of the three players get clearance from the tribunal then how can you bring that player into the World Cup squad?”
Another former player Basit Ali also condemned the selection committee, and said that Shoaib Malik justified a place in the initial squad for the World Cup. He said that some of the other fast bowlers like Sohail Khan and Abdul Rauf deserved a place in the squad, as both bowlers have done exceptionally well in the domestic season.
The PCB had to announce the squad by 19 December, but the board decided to ask for an extension in the deadline from the ICC. The sport’s governing body then granted the PCB an extension until 5 January. PCB chairman Ijaz Butt also held a meeting with one-day international and Twenty20 Captain Shahid Afridi before naming the squad.
The team was announced a day after the meeting, and sources in the PCB said that Shahid Afridi wanted Muhammad Yousuf in the squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
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