Quaid Trophy: Players dejected at selectors’ absence

Say they are losing interest in Quaid Trophy.

KARACHI: Players and officials expressed their disappointment on the absence of national selectors at venues where the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy matches are held, saying they have started to lose interest in the tournament.

The Quaid Trophy, Pakistan’s premier domestic first-class tournament, is currently underway in different venues all over the country with players hoping to impress the national selectors to serve their ultimate aim – representing the country at international level.

However, the absence of national selectors as the tournament’s second round comes to an end, has discouraged players and officials alike.

“It’s really disappointing for us,” a player featuring in the tournament told The Express Tribune while requesting anonymity. “It’s our main tournament and we’ve come here after a lot of hard work. “Players see this tournament as an opportunity to catch the selectors’ eyes but many of us are dejected and losing focus due to their absence.”

Another player termed the noticeable absence unfortunate. “Our target is to get into the national team and we are giving our best under tough conditions. It really hurts to see no selector present to evaluate us.”

‘One has to be at the venue to assess a player’

Meanwhile, former Test cricketer Sadiq Mohammad has lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee for snubbing the tournament’s matches.

“It’s an unjust attitude towards the players,” said Mohammad. “The selectors cannot depend on figures. There’s a huge difference between having a look on scorecards and being in the stadium to see the performance.

“The selectors can only assess performance by visiting venues regularly. It’s the only way to assess a player’s capability and mental toughness.”

‘Selectors not well’

When inquired about the absence of selectors, a PCB official said two of the four selectors were ill. The selection committee is being headed by Mohammad Illyas in the absence of chief selector Mohsin Khan. Azher Khan, Asif Baloch and Farrukh Zaman are the other members of the committee. “Both Illyas and Azher are down with fever,” said the official, before adding he had ‘no clue’ about Baloch and Zaman.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2011.