Cricket: ‘Kamran remains under the scanner’

Wicket-keeper yet to get clearance from PCB’s Integrity Committee.

KARACHI: Kamran Akmal’s waiting days will continue as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Integrity Committee is yet to give its clearance to the wicket-keeper for national team selection.

Kamran, who was dropped after last year’s World Cup over poor performance, appeared before the committee on Wednesday to explain his version over his name being dragged in the spot-fixing case. He was named in the spot-fixing trial that took place in the UK last year but was not summoned by the court or the International Cricket Council. However, the PCB excluded him from the team.

Kamran was also accused of deliberately under-performing in the Sydney Test during Pakistan’s tour to Australia in 2010. However, his chances of returning increased after he was selected in the preliminary squad by the selection committee. His final inclusion is, however, still subject to clearance by the integrity committee.

“The matter is still under discussion,” the official told The Express Tribune. “The committee is still reviewing a couple of documents.”

Meanwhile, a PCB selector confirmed that the selection committee has not received any message from the integrity committee regarding the wicket-keeper.

“Kamran may get the edge because of his batting expertise. But he will not be an automatic choice because we will have to select from among Sarfraz Ahmed, Shakeel Ansar and Kamran who are also in the squad.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2012.