LAHORE – Many former cricketers have criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board for ignoring Shoaib Malik and Danish Kaneria in the preliminary squad for the World Cup 2011.
The PCB had formed integrity committee to scrutinise the details of the bank accounts and properties of these three players.
The PCB integrity committee cleared Kamran Akmal but denied
NOC to Shoaib Malik and Danish Kaneria and also did not issue any reason for their non selection.
Former captain and Asian Bradman Zaheer Abbas criticised the selection committee and asked them to clarify whether Malik and Kaneria were involved in match-fixing or not.
Zaheer also raised concerns on the selection of veteran batsman Mohammad Yousuf in the preliminary squad and said: “Yousuf has not played any competitive cricket for long time. Yousuf is struggling with his form and fitness and he 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 also questioned the timing of announcement of the squad and said: “We all know that the suspended trio is facing ICC tribunal hearing in Doha from January 6 and if someone from them gets clearance, how can you bring that player in the World Cup squad?”
Former middle order batsman Basit Ali also slammed selection committee for non selection of Malik and Kaneria and also said that bowlers like Abdul Rauf and Sohail Khan were neglected from the World Cup squad? “These players have taken over 50 wickets each in the current season and if a bowler with 50 wickets in domestic season cannot find place in the 30-man squad, then the PCB should ban domestic tournaments,” he added.
