Pakistan’s ODI squad might be delayed
New chairman yet to take charge, selectors wait on approval.
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee is yet to meet and discuss the squad for the forthcoming One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 against Sri Lanka courtesy the delay in the new chairman, Zaka Ashraf, taking up office.
Ashraf was due to take charge on Monday, ten days after his appointment was confirmed, but with no sign of the new chief, even the PCB officials remained clueless. The delay has also hampered the selection committee’s plans as it was due to meet after the first Test which ended on October 22.
“We have absolutely no idea when the meeting will take place,” a selector told The Express Tribune. “We can’t make decisions without the new chairman’s approval.”
Clearance of former captain Shahid Afridi, who reversed his retirement earlier this month, is also an issue which falls in the chairman’s domain apart from giving the clean-chit to final team selection. However, a PCB official said the delay was not a big deal.
“It’s not worrying as the ODIs are still over two weeks away,” said the official. “The chairman is expected to join soon and the selection committee will have enough time to name the squad.”
Pakistan will play the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka from November 11 in Dubai. The one-off Twenty20 will be played on November 25.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2011.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee is yet to meet and discuss the squad for the forthcoming One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 against Sri Lanka courtesy the delay in the new chairman, Zaka Ashraf, taking up office.
Ashraf was due to take charge on Monday, ten days after his appointment was confirmed, but with no sign of the new chief, even the PCB officials remained clueless. The delay has also hampered the selection committee’s plans as it was due to meet after the first Test which ended on October 22.
“We have absolutely no idea when the meeting will take place,” a selector told The Express Tribune. “We can’t make decisions without the new chairman’s approval.”
Clearance of former captain Shahid Afridi, who reversed his retirement earlier this month, is also an issue which falls in the chairman’s domain apart from giving the clean-chit to final team selection. However, a PCB official said the delay was not a big deal.
“It’s not worrying as the ODIs are still over two weeks away,” said the official. “The chairman is expected to join soon and the selection committee will have enough time to name the squad.”
Pakistan will play the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka from November 11 in Dubai. The one-off Twenty20 will be played on November 25.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2011.