As the squads were announced for the Super Eight T20 Cup that starts on June 24, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief selector Mohsin Khan said that the tournament will serve as the perfect platform for youngsters to press for national selection.
The national T20 tournament will take place in Faisalabad and Mohsin said that the selection committee would closely monitor the performance of the players.
He said that impressive show in the ongoing county season in England will not ensure automatic selection for players who are eyeing a comeback to the national team.
And while the county stint has its "own importance", that was not the criterion for selection.
"County cricket is not our criterion for selection," Mohsin told The Express Tribune in an interview. "The performance in England is not going to impress the selectors.
"It is the performance for the national team and in domestic tournaments that counts."
The former cricketer added that while selectors follow the players' progress in England, domestic tournaments have more weight.
"We do follow players' performance and give importance to the county season but a good show at this stage doesn't ensure automatic selection."
The chief selector's comments may not shock players like fast-bowlers Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal - who were already a part of the national team before leaving for their county stint but sidelined trio of experienced all-rounders Abdul Razzaq, Rana Navedul Hasan and Azhar Mehmood, who are giving a good show in England must be disappointed.
Prove your worth in Super Eight T20, says Mohsin
Meanwhile, Mohsin termed the Super Eight T20 Cup as a golden opportunity for budding youngsters to make their way into the national team.
"The outstanding players of the tournament will definitely get a chance in the national team.
"We are injecting young blood for every assignment and we will continue with the policy."
Pool of players for T20 World Cup
The former opening batsman said the selection committee will also form a pool of specialists for the World Twenty20, scheduled in Sri Lanka next year.
"The Faisalabad event will help us finalise a pool of specialist players for cricket's shortest format.
"We have enormous talent, especially in this format, and hopefully we will find the players we want for next year's tournament."
T20 squads
Team Captain
Multan Tigers: Abdul Rauf
Islamabad Leopards: Rao Iftikhar Anjum
Rawalpindi Rams: Sohail Tanvir
Lahore Lions: Muhammad Yousaf
Karachi Dolphins: Mohammad Sami
Faisalabad Wolves: Misbahul Haq
Hyderabad Hawks: Azeem Ghumman
Sialkot Stallions: Shoaib Malik
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2011.
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