Pakistan may boycott ICC awards over Ajmal exclusion: Zaka Ashraf
Ashraf, in an interview, reopened the debate saying: "We are facing a lot of pressure from the public and from our former players to push for his inclusion."
"I think the ICC should check whether the independent jury is coming up with the best name and they should not give away the due right of any player in the world,” he added.
He went a step further, urging the ICC to rectify the jury’s decision, saying: "If anyone else has more wickets than Ajmal, then we are ready to withdraw our concern and instead we will support their pick.”
"Meanwhile we probably have to give a second thought to even boycott the function as a robust protest," stated the PCB chairman.
Earlier, despite a written complaint lodged by the PCB, Saeed Ajmal was not added to the shortlist for the Test Cricketer of the Year award.
Ajmal, who made it to the nominations but lost out to Michael Clarke, Kumar Sangakkara, Vernon Philander and Hashim Amla in the shortlist, picked up 72 wickets from 12 Tests played in the qualifying period and the PCB had expressed its disappointment after he failed to make the cut.
The ICC, however, had confirmed that changes to the shortlist will not be possible now and the list remained final.
He was, however, named in the ICC Team of the Year shortlist; the only Pakistani to have made it into the particular list.
Former Pakistani players urge ICC award boycott
Former Pakistan players also urged the boycott on Thursday.
"The way the ICC has ignored Ajmal is unjust and the PCB must convey its reservations by boycotting the awards ceremony in Sri Lanka," former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif told AFP.
"Ajmal deserved to be on the shortlist and his omission is unjust."
Former batsman Basit Ali urged the PCB not to accept the decision.
"The decision to leave out Ajmal is inexplicable and Pakistan must not attend the ceremony," he said.
Mohsin Khan, the former opener who coached the team that beat England this year, said the selection process should not come down to personal preferences.
"This ICC process to shortlist players is clearly flawed because cricket is all about performance, not personal likes and dislikes. Better if the PCB boycotts the awards function," Khan said.
"It will at least send out a strong message to the ICC. South Africa also did it in 2009 when their deserving players were ignored for the awards."
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May Boycott? I am more into SHOULD BOYCOTT.
I request all the Pakistani to use all the possible means including all the social media to launch a protest against ICC decision.
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Only pakistan and India could threaten about stuff like this. Never will you see any of the non south asian teams threaten about something so petulant. They have enough self respect to know that they are good enough on the field ánd the awards dont matter. Who cares. Its so typical of our culture to throw a tantrum and blame others no matter what. Pakistan can raise valid reservations about Ajmals exclusion but threatening to boycott the event is just stupid. Its second nature to Pakistani authorities to isolate themselves. Its not like the ICC is going to stop functioning tomorrow and we all know they will still be running the administrative aspect of cricket in the future. Pakistan already cant play any games at home due to security reasons so isolating oneself further just doesnt make sense. Pakistan should push to be the No. 1 team in all formats, try to win the T20 world cup. This is a team game. No ICC award will ever be as important as reaching such glory.
I am in no way denying that Ajmal should have been in the list. If he keeps performing, I dont see any reason why he wont be in the list next year along with a few trophys to show with it (if other players chip in).
@ Patriot @ Ali You guys in pakistan need to grow up... India has more important things to do than restrict a pakistani player from the list... its time u stopped blaming India for everything wrong in your country...
It is really a decision based on discrimination, Ajmal deserve this award.
Indian influence.....na khelenge na kelne daynge! No Indian player worthy of inclusion so no Pakistani either. Shows the Indian Cricket Board's power and influence over the ICC.
I want to say few things as i agree with Ali. But I dont want dispute. They are Jealous, our players like Amir, Asif, Salam also got traped in their schem
@Pankaj: You never even didnt had a world class after (FAst, PAce or Spin) after Kapil, so please dont comment about our players.
I wont be surprised if Jury is full of Indian ex players whos always hated Pakistan.... shame on them for bringing this in cricket and shame on ICC for not doing anything.
Ajmal bowls with a bent elbow, it's so obvious to everybody in the world apart from Pakistanis. That's probably the real reason he missed out. Most cricket professionals know who bowls with an illegal action and who does not. Unfortunately most of these bowlers are from Pakistan eg Shabir Ahmed, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Saeed Ajmal. Ofcourse there are others like Murali and Harbhajan too. Very few ex-crickets speak publicly about this issue but it's true and until we from the sub continent accept and correct this then some of our players will always be tainted. No doubt they are talented cricketers all international players should be able to bowl with a straight arm or not at all.
There are 32 highly credentialed cricketers on the academy and they - at least most of them excluding the Pakistani players - thought that the action of Ajmal is a bit dodgy and his wickets carry a bit of taint.
None of our chest beating will convince the cricketing greats otherwise. Let's not force the hand of ICC and make Ajmal undergo some more tests.
I am surprised at his exclusion but not shocked. But we don't need to pursue this any further. The jury has the right to nominate whoever they like (regardless of how much it annoys us). If the ICC checks the jury's shortlist then what use is there for having an independent jury nominate? We should be more concerned about the team's performance in the recent ODIs against Australia than some award that we feel is Ajmal's birthright (let's face it, we would have been equally upset if he hadn't received the award after being nominated).
lol...taking wickets on the extremely spin friendly wicket doesn't make him the contender...
Let him play in australia, new zealand, south africa, west indies, india than we will see..
Pakistanis should not get hypersensitive ..
He is rightly left out by the games greatest.
The whole world of cricket fans know that Ajmal is a cricket superstar. Come on ICC! Open your eyes!
Icc following 'all are equals but some r more equals'. Its like not nominating Messi in football or Federer in Tennis. Best award for player that he wins matches for team which he currently doing. Awards come and go.
Go for it PCB...even though I give a flying ** to ICC for not including Ajmal..he is and will remain the best bowler in the world but PCB must protest against this sheer biasness!
I am really saddened by the response I’m reading from people who I’m assuming to be located in Pakistan. I do not understand why should PCB ‘move on’ when a bowler like Saeed Ajmal is completely ignored by a ‘jury’. Let the 32 member panel jury come up with an answer as to why he wasn’t chosen. I can guarantee you that the response to that will be anything, BUT his performance. Has anyone gone through his stats for the past year? Really, anyone? So if performance isn’t the key criteria for ‘jury’ to nominate, what is? It’s not only about a bowler, it’s about a sportsman who is representing your nation, your country.
ByCOTTTTTTTTTTTTTT the ICC award ceremony
Pcb go for it..we are with you.WE should protest for out good bowler
Register your written protest and move on. Playing international cricket, making friends and convincing them to come to Pakistan is far more important than these awards. Boycotts will isolate us futher, just like Imran Khan, who with his boycott policy has fallen to the level of Sh. Rashid.
When will you grow up and learn PCB? Even if they give it now would it have any credibility and dignity? You bow down in front of other boards where you should be upright and dignified and put up unnecessary and self insulting fights where sportsmen spirit is needed. It is better if you work on self sufficiency, develop and organize good competitive leagues and don't be an embarrassment to us.
Aamer Sohail was a member of a 32 panel jury. Even if he did vote, who’s to say anyone else this. All readers saying that it’s time to be logical and not emotional, please, if it was treated 'logically' in the first place, it wouldn’t have come to this point. 'Logically', facts and stats speaking for itself clearly make him a nominee in the top 4. PCB should boycott, hands down to that. After all, cricket should not have juries to decide who’s good or not. This should be completely based on facts and figures.
This is really astonishing. Ajmal is not only the highest wicket taker but is also a match winner and always take crucial wickets. One other important point is that no team in the cricketing world can face ajmal with confidence. Even the best players find it really hard to pick his deliveries.
I wonder what traits are checked for nomination. in every field ajmal is on top. a very biased decision by ICC.
way to go Pakistan show some aggression ..
good idea, Pakistan should boycott all the upcoming matches with the icc member countries.
Empty vessels make the loudest noises
Zaka Ashraf follows Ijaz Butt on stupidity front. the short listed cricketers were chosen by a jury of 32 INDEPENDENT personal (including two pakistanis) and not ICC. no doubt we are a nation driven by emotions and little logic ...
Well, its good to see such support from PCB. But do they really meant what is said? I strongly support the idea of boycotting ICC awards.
Good Move PCB Chairman!
Boycott from all cricket matches. That will teach the world a lessen.
Oh please... Just let it be! PCB will never be free of drama and controversy....
i know its disappointing but we should get over it rather than acting like spoilt brats. worse things have happened.
Biased decision by ICC. Vernon Philander with around 58 wicket is selected instead of Ajmal with 72 wickets.
One agenda policy. Emotions more important than logic. How about networking for next year? But that requires brain and that is clouded by emotions. Giving up free trip?
He was nominated and the decision is theirs. It would be stupid to boycott.
Aamer Sohail was the member of ICC committee which decided these awards. People should ask him the reasons too?
he is match winner , highest wicket taker , unplayable in all form of cricket what else