Azhar Mahmood slams the selection policy of PCB – Cricket News Update
Discarded Pakistani all-rounder, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Azhar-Mahmood-c1116, has slammed the selection policy of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and said that performance is not the only thing considered when it comes to selecting the national team and there are many other factors.
The all-rounder made his Test debut back in 1997 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 and had a blistering start as he scored three centuries against one of the best teams of the world. He was a permanent member of the national team till the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003,
but lost his place afterwards.
He did make a comeback in the Pakistan team for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 but the Green Shirts could not qualify for the second round and with that, Mahmood’s international career was over as he was never given an opportunity again.
The all-rounder from Islamabad has been a prolific performer in county cricket for many years and he also joined the controversial Indian Cricket League (ICL).
For his interview to Pakpassion, Azhar expressed that some of the current batsmen in the Pakistan team are averaging in 20s and yet they continue to play at the highest stage of the game. While talking about his own
credentials, the all-rounder said that he never had a permanent batting order throughout his career but he still averages 30 runs per innings after 21 Test matches. He was considered a limited overs specialist at the later part of his career, which he thinks
was not justified.
He said, “The current batsmen who are playing – they have averages of 22, 24, 26, 28 and so on. Yet they are playing. I’m not looking to criticize anyone. I am just reflecting on the selection process in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 cricket – and how they sidelined me saying
‘thank you very much, and labelling me a One Day player’. I think it’s very frustrating for me.”
He further added every cricketer in the world faces injury issues but that does not mean that the player’s career is finished.
“They said my fitness was an issue. Everyone has fitness issues and it’s not only me. When you play cricket, you get injured. It’s not only about Pakistani cricketers either – these things happen all over the world,” Azhar added.
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