‘Differences’ with Mohsin resolved by PCB

Former cricketer to continue as chief selector.

LAHORE:

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt and chief selector Mohsin Khan have resolved the dispute regarding the team’s selection for the Test series against West Indies.

The chairman assured Mohsin that the committee will be given full authority to make decisions and, as a result, the chief selector decided not to retire. The Express Tribune has learnt that, following differences, Mohsin has been handed full authority to select the squad that takes on Ireland at the end of May.

The chief selector had earlier cited differences with the board over team selection and hinted at resignation before announcing to hold a press conference. However, the PCB sent out a media release that advised Mohsin not to hold a press meeting without the board’s consent and offered a dialogue between the chairman and chief selector.

But with the meeting between the two yesterday, it was decided that players, who Mohsin wanted to be included in the team, would be given a chance in the two-match One-Day International series against Ireland, which follows the Tests against West Indies.

“Mohsin and I had a fruitful meeting and we discussed a number of matters,” said Ijaz. “We also discussed some of the issues that are being discussed in media reports and without going into the details, I am pleased to inform that there are currently no unresolved issues between the PCB and Mohsin.”

Apart from team selection for the Test series, The Express Tribune has also learnt that committee members were also unimpressed by interference of the tour-selection committee that comprises the manager, coach and captain.

The PCB statement, however, specified that the national selection committee and the tour selection committee are two independent bodies and while they both give their input, both panels cannot interfere in each others’ matters.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2011.