Butt defends team selection

PCB Chairman defended the team selection for the England tour and said that no deserving player was left out.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt has defended the team selection for the England tour and said that no deserving player was left out. Butt, who admitted that the performance was below-par, however said that the team needed time as it included a lot of youngsters.

“Look at the domestic records of those who were selected. Tell me which player you are talking about. Do your homework first,” responded Butt following questions from the media.

“You act like team selectors but know nothing,” said Butt, who initially avoided answering questions. “You think you know everything about cricket so you start questioning over selection matters and start accusing us of leaving out deserving players,” said Butt.

Butt, however, said the team included a lot of youngsters, who could not cope the pressure of the tough series. “We have a young side who failed to perform up to the mark,” said the chairman. Pakistan has been struggling to find feet against England as the team lost the first Test at Trent Bridge by a whopping 354-run margin. This was followed by another dismal batting performance on the first day of the second Test, when Pakistan were bowled out for 72, their lowest Test innings score against England.

Responding to a question over veteran Test batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who was recalled despite the batsman announcing his retirement, Butt said, “Yousuf refused to play the second Test as he still needs time to regain his confidence and fitness.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2010.