PCB to boycott ICC award ceremony over Ajmal controversy - Cricket News Update
As a mark of protest, Pakistan has threatened to boycott the ICC’s world cricket awards in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 following the governing body's rejection of a proposal to consider Saeed Ajmal for the award.
The contentious issue over the spin wizard could snowball into a major confrontation between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the ICC.
On Wednesday, the ICC ruled out any possibility for considering Ajmal’s late admission into the shortlisted nominations for the ‘ICC Test Cricketer of the Year’ award despite PCB’s request to review the spinner’s omission.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vernon-Philander-c2753, despite Ajmal’s outstanding performance with the ball during the qualifying period between August
4, 2011 till August 6, 2012.
The spin wizard remained the leading wicket-taker in the longer format of the game after claiming 72 wickets in 12 matches. He was also instrumental in helping his side hand a 3-0 clean sweep to then world’s top Test side, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013.
Speaking to The News, PCB chairman Zaka http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashraf-c46397 has reiterated his stance that the decision to snub the world’s leading Test bowler was 'unfair' and should be rectified.
"It is universally agreed that Ajmal is the world’s best spinner at the moment and deserves to be in contention for the award," stressed Ashraf.
"We have once again lodged a strong protest against Amjal’s omission from the shortlist and hope that they (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625) will review this unfair decision."
The PCB Head further added that the awards come into the governing body’s jurisdiction and the ICC should look into the controversy involving an unjust decision by an independent panel of experts.
"It’s a major issue for us because our cricketers and fans feel that they have been wronged," he said.
When asked what would be the board’s plan if the ICC http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ian-Hunter-c1571 to its stand, Zaka replied, "We would boycott the awards ceremony. None of our players would attend the event as a mark of protest."
In 2010, following a review, English off-spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GP-Swann-c1501 was included in the list for the ‘Cricketer of the Year’ nominations, despite his initial omission. However, it seems that Pakistan would chose to go South Africa’s way, who in 2009, also boycotted
the ICC ceremony in Johannesburg after several Proteas players were ignored.
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