Selectors in action to hunt promising cricketers

Committee keeping in mind World Twenty20 as they scout for talent.

KARACHI:

Unlike in the past, the selectors seem to be a busy party as the current domestic season continues.

The ultimate goal of the Iqbal Qasim-led selection committee is to form formidable sides for all the three formats, the need of which has been pointed out by several former Test cricketers who believed that a change was the need of the hour.

It has been learnt that the selection committee closely followed the recently-concluded Faysal Bank One-Day Cup with committee members, including the chief selector, being present at the venues in Lahore.

According to an official close to the committee, the selectors will keenly follow action at the upcoming Super Eight Twenty20, which will start on March 25 in Rawalpindi, with this year’s World Twenty20 in mind. “There’s a need to replace some players,” said the official. “The selectors will take the T20 competition seriously to unearth some talent for the World Twenty20.”

‘No urgency in forming separate teams’

Meanwhile, a selector confirmed that the body was working on scouting out new talent but said there was no urgency in forming separate teams.

“We are working on it but don’t have a deadline in mind,” the selector told The Express Tribune. “The purpose is to find a pool of players who can effectively become replacements when needed.

“However, since the World Twenty20 is close we might bring appropriate changes in the squad in our next assignments.”

Meanwhile, a change at the helm was expected after the Asia Cup with Misbahul Haq likely to be retained as captain only for Tests.

A meeting of the PCB top brass, including the team management and the selection committee members, is likely to discuss the names of a new captain for the limited-overs formats of the game with Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez being the main contenders for the job, said another PCB official.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2012.