Former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 cricketers unhappy with World Cup squad
Former Pakistan players have slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the selection of the 30-man World Cup squad. The squad was announced yesterday and former captain and all-rounder Shoaib Malik was not considered for selection.
Three players namely Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were not available for selection, so they had to be ignored. Apart from them Shoaib Malik, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314 and Kamran Akmal were also doubtful for the World Cup squad, but PCB didn’t specify
any reason for uncertainty over their selection.
However, Kamran Akmal was selected amongst the 30-probables while Shoaib and Danish were ignored. A surprise selection was that of Mohammad Yousuf. Former batsman Zaheer Abass was not happy with the board over the selection of 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.”
Zaheer was also not happy with the timing of the selection. He 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 slammed the selection committee, and said that Shoaib deserved a place in the preliminary 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 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ijaz-Butt-c64128 also held a meeting with one-day
international and Twenty20 Captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 before naming the squad.
The team was announced a day after the meeting, and sources in the PCB said that Afridi wanted Yousuf in the squad for the World Cup.
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