Hafeez’s return to national fold difficult, says Shaharyar

PCB Chairman casts doubt over all-rounder’s inclusion in squad

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez’s return to the national side faces a dim prospect, especially after the 36-year-old failed to get his bowling action cleared, said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan in an exclusive interview with Daily Express.

Shaharyar further added that Hafeez’s illegal bowling action led him to be stripped off the status of an all-rounder and he will play as a batsman if he ever got picked for the national side.

“Hafeez has requested to be tested in Loughborough, Cardiff and we obliged because he is a senior player of the team. However, if he fails to clear his test once again, it will be extremely difficult for the selection committee to include him in the national side,” said Shaharyar.

While talking about who will replace Test captain Misbahul Haq, who is expected to step down from the helm after the New Zealand and Australia tours, Shaharyar revealed that a successor hasn’t been decided yet.

“We haven’t decided who will lead the Test side once Misbah steps down,” he said. “If the upcoming tours in Australia and New Zealand go well then we can even ask Misbah to continue leading the side for a while.”

He further added, “Misbah and Younus Khan have been performing well for Pakistan and are in contention to remain in the side. However, they are nearing their retirements and for the future of the team we must make preparations from now.”

PSL’s status as separate entity approved by BOGs

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) enters its second edition in 2017 and PSL Chairman Najam Sethi had announced earlier that the T20 league would become an independent entity, separate from the PCB.

And Shaharyar revealed that the board itself gave permission for this to happen.

“The league authorities feel that they will enjoy more freedom as an independent company as they will be able to take administrative decisions on their own. They can certainly do that as long as there are no violations of PCB rules. This decision was made by the Board of Governors.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2016.

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