Overhaul in Champions Trophy squad unlikely
Selection committee to meet this week to finalise probables.
Pakistan players celebrate the dismissal of South Africa's batsman Hashim Amla after he was caught out by Misbahul Haq. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
Despite the team’s unimpressive performance on the tour of South Africa, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee may decide against making wholesale changes in the squad ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
With the marathon tour concluding yesterday, the selectors will immediately switch their focus to the last edition of the tournament that will be played in England from June 6.
According to a selector, all the members of the selection committee will assemble at the board’s headquarters in Lahore later this week to finalise the 30-man preliminary squad.
“The selection committee will kick off the series of meetings this week,” a selector told The Express Tribune. “We also have plans to hold meetings with the coach [Dav Whatmore] and captain [Misbahul Haq].”
He added the PCB asked the selection committee has to finalise and submit the names of the probables by April 4.
Selectors oppose overhaul
Meanwhile, in its initial reaction on calls for removal of the senior players, the selector hinted an overhaul in the team may not happen.
“It will not be appropriate to remove the seniors as their experience will be needed in the Champions Trophy.
“The conditions in England will also be challenging and we cannot afford to rely completely on inexperienced players.
“Plus, if we assess our performance in the ODI series against South Africa, it wasn’t a complete disappointment.”
However, the selectors signalled for chances of few notable snubs in the preliminary squad.
“There are some players who will be assessed thoroughly.
“Younus [Khan] will be one of them as he is struggling since a long time. There will be a strong debate on his selection.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2013.
Despite the team’s unimpressive performance on the tour of South Africa, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee may decide against making wholesale changes in the squad ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
With the marathon tour concluding yesterday, the selectors will immediately switch their focus to the last edition of the tournament that will be played in England from June 6.
According to a selector, all the members of the selection committee will assemble at the board’s headquarters in Lahore later this week to finalise the 30-man preliminary squad.
“The selection committee will kick off the series of meetings this week,” a selector told The Express Tribune. “We also have plans to hold meetings with the coach [Dav Whatmore] and captain [Misbahul Haq].”
He added the PCB asked the selection committee has to finalise and submit the names of the probables by April 4.
Selectors oppose overhaul
Meanwhile, in its initial reaction on calls for removal of the senior players, the selector hinted an overhaul in the team may not happen.
“It will not be appropriate to remove the seniors as their experience will be needed in the Champions Trophy.
“The conditions in England will also be challenging and we cannot afford to rely completely on inexperienced players.
“Plus, if we assess our performance in the ODI series against South Africa, it wasn’t a complete disappointment.”
However, the selectors signalled for chances of few notable snubs in the preliminary squad.
“There are some players who will be assessed thoroughly.
“Younus [Khan] will be one of them as he is struggling since a long time. There will be a strong debate on his selection.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2013.