Kaneria fumes over snub, Mohsin hints at resignation over differences

Leg-spinner accuses PCB of ‘unfair treatment’.

KARACHI:

While leg-spinner Danish Kaneria questioned team selection and accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of being unfair to him, chief selector Mohsin Khan has hinted resigning from the post.

Mohsin said that he has reservations over selection of the Test squad for the Caribbean tour and will announce his final decision today after clearing things out with the PCB.

“I’ve some reservations this time around,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “I’ve raised some issues, which are expected to be resolved soon and that will determine my future as the chief selector.”

Kaneria lashes out

Meanwhile, the PCB came under a scathing attack from Kaneria after he was snubbed for the Test series against West Indies.

Kaneria, who failed to get clearance by the PCB’s Integrity Committee (IC) earlier, was subject of an investigation by his county team Essex over spot-fixing charges along with teammate Mervyn Westfield. While Westfield is facing a criminal trial after charges were proved, Kaneria was cleared by the county team but failed to be cleared by the PCB.

According to reports, a PCB official ruled out a comeback for Kaneria and accused the leg-spinner of non-cooperation during the board’s investigation of the spot-fixing charges.

He said that Kaneria has failed to provide the statement that he gave to the Essex police and thus the PCB-formed IC could not clear him.

However, Kaneria, who claims that he does not have the copy of his statement, criticised the PCB.

“I was cleared by the Essex Police, which is the important thing,” Kaneria told The Express Tribune. “I’ve shown the letter by the Essex police that clears me of all charges and I don’t know what else to do.

“How can I provide the PCB with the copy of my statement when I don’t have it myself,” said Kaneria.

Kaneria also lashed out at the country’s cricket board for leaking information linked to his investigation by the IC.

“I never gave out any details and it’s the board which is leaking all the confidential information which is not fair.”

Kaneria, who is Pakistan’s most successful spinner in Tests with 261 wickets in 61 matches, said his domestic performance made him a deserving candidate for selection.

Malik optimistic on return

Former captain Shoaib Malik has not given up hopes of a return to the national team. Malik last played against England in the Test series in August 2010.

“I’m keeping myself busy with club cricket and I’m hopeful of my return.”

Team selection was unjust: Qadir

Former Test cricketer Abdul Qadir also criticised the selection committee and said that it should explain the choices made and not shy away from the media.

“I see many unjust decisions in the team selection,” the former chief selector told The Express Tribune. “Kaneria is an important part of the Test team and his snub should be explained.”

Qadir also felt that wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal should have been included.

“The decision to retain wicket-keeper [Mohammad] Salman instead of including Adnan is illogical.

“Adnan did well when he was in the team and his exclusion is injustified.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2011.