Kamran Akmal delighted after his selection in the 30-man http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 squad for the 2011 World Cup
Pakistan’s wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has stated that he was delighted after his selection in the 30-man World Cup squad was confirmed. Akmal has been out of international action since Pakistan’s controversial September tour of
England. He was under scrutiny by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) integrity committee and was denied clearance for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754.
On his inclusion in the squad, Akmal stated, “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.”
The wicketkeeper-batsman is considered to be Pakistan’s best option to open the batting alongside Mohammad Hafeez. His exclusion from the team raised doubts amongst cricket fans and experts, as the PCB never provided a legitimate
reason for axing the player. Reservations on the PCB’s decisions were inflated due to Akmal sublime form in domestic matches. This season, Akmal has scored 767 runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Division One, Pakistan’s domestic tournament.
Along with Akmal, leg-spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314 and former captain Shoaib Malik were also seeking clearance from the PCB’s integrity committee. Malik failed to gain confidence of the committee and hence couldn’t make it to the squad.
Kaneria was not expected to be part of the World Cup squad so his omission raises some unanswered questions about his future.
The selection committee has also opted to leave out middle-order batsman Fawad Alam. On his dismissal from the team, chief selector http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319 said,
“We simply could not find a place for Fawad in the squad and that was down to him not being in the sort of form needed in a tournament like the World Cup.”
The World Cup is all set to begin on the 19th of February 2011, and is to be jointly hosted by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747. Akmal’s inclusion will certainly strengthen Pakistan’s team and the wicketkeeper is optimistic
over Pakistan’s chances. He said, “I am sure that if we play to our potential we can win the World Cup.”
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