Joy for Kamran Akmal as Shoaib Malik mourns non-selection for World Cup
Pakistan selection committee announced the 30 man preliminary squad for the World Cup, set to take place in February, earlier in the week. The squad has sparked a debate in the cricketing circles of the country as the often maligned wicket-keeper
batsman Kamran Akmal found his way back in the national fold, while all-rounder Shoaib Malik was left out after he failed to get the clearance from the integrity committee of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 Cricket Board.
Shoaib Malik was a disappointed man after the announcement was made as he claimed that he had done nothing wrong and was looking forward to making an appearance in the World Cup which is a dream tournament for every player.
The all-rounder has had a great run in the domestic cricket in Pakistan scoring 725 runs at an average of 120.83 in Division One of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy which is regarded as the premier first-class competition, this season.
"It's tough to pacify yourself when you are not given a reason for your omission. Cricket teaches you discipline, so with discipline and determination I will strive to get my place back. It's a great honour to play in the World Cup but
I will not allow my confidence level to dip and will continue to perform at the domestic level” said Malik.
On the other hand Kamran Akmal was excited about his return to the national fold, especially after getting his name cleared, following a series of controversies and scandals that had derailed his career.
He would once again be joining his younger brother Umar Akmal in the team for the World Cup, if he proves his fitness ahead of the ODI series against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 team that is scheduled to start later this month.
Kamran, claimed that he has a clean record as he had always given his hundred percent to the team. "I have always played cricket the right way and when the PCB asked me to appear before the committee I complied and I am happy that they
have included me in the preliminary squad." Kamran told AFP.
The trio of Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314 were asked by the PCB to appear before the integrity committee and get their names cleared if they were to make an appearance in international cricket again.
The players were asked to provide documentary evidence in the form of their bank accounts, assets and property holdings from the last three years which would have helped in assessing their situation in the wake of the damning spot fixing
scandal.
On the other hand, the PCB is working with extreme caution and is yet to officially reveal the findings of the integrity committee, forcing the media to speculate. "There is a lot of speculation in the media regarding clearance or otherwise
of players by the integrity committee of the PCB," Pakistan's chief selector http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319 said. "The integrity committee has given its views on some players to the selection committee which has taken into consideration that input and has selected the 30 players
for the World Cup."
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan cricket, Kamran Akmal stated that the men in green were capable of winning the most coveted ODI tournament for the second time in its history. "We have to play with the available players and
I am sure that if we play to our potential we can win the World Cup," concluded the Lahore based player.
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