Basit wants T20 ban on junior cricketers

PCB Zone-I chairman and junior team selection committee chief selector Basit Ali has said the concerned doctor should be held responsible for any overage player managing to enter the junior team as he was the one who give clean chit to the player not the team management.

Talking to a local daily newspaper, he said he has taken up this issue of grave importance with PCB chairman Najam Sethi and instead of punishing the team or player a person who issued clearance certificate to the player should be considered the real culprit.

“I have decided to completely ban T20 cricket among U-16 and U-19 players. If anyone found guilty of violating orders, he would be banned for at least two years. It is because of T20 cricket at early age which is the main reason behind lack of backup. No other Test playing nation allowed their youngster to play T20 cricket. I had detected around 50 junior players who will play two practice matches and 24 players would be short-listed, who will be invited to NCA for three weeks camp. It is my grantee no injustice would be done with the players. The player who performs will get a chance. I have planned to provide country at least 4 to 6 players in next six years. If I managed to achieve the task I will consider it my success, if I failed to do so, I will get aside.”

He said he had picked Azam Khan, son of Moin Khan, purely on merit. “He is the future of Pakistan. He is a class act. He has all the shots in the book. He is well built though a bit bulky, but he can reduce weight. It is very easy to criticise but the ground reality is quite different. Azam is selected in the team purely on merit. He is very good playing at pacers and would soon become the most valuable player for the national team just like Inzamam.”

“My main focus is on U17 World Cup in 2016. I don’t believe in short term policies. Pakistan U-17 team would depart to UK to play bilateral series in August and then the return leg would be held in September. We are also in close negotiations with Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka to play a junior level bilateral series.”

He said the PCB chairman was giving top priority to junior and women cricket. “Six pitches have been installed in National Stadium Karachi where female players are working very hard on improving their skills. I had identified few wonderful players in Hyderabad, Larkana and other far-flung areas of the country. I spent several hours watching youngsters playing and my physical presence means a lot to youngsters. I feel positive change in their body language. They want to impress me with their masterful performances, which I feel a very encouraging sign.”

He strongly recommended the PCB to install floodlights at Diamond Cricket Ground. He said past greats instead of criticising national team must come forward with positive plans and turn their focus on improving youth structure, as seniors it was their national and moral responsibility to help country in best possible way.