PHOTO: FILE
With the ICC Champions Trophy around the corner, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors will assemble in Lahore next week to mull over the final 15-man squad for the tournament to be played in England.
After the conclusion of the President’s Cup, dubbed as a determinant in the final selection, the PCB now has a clearer picture of the players’ form and fitness.
The event was also deemed crucial for several senior cricketers who were under-fire after the South Africa tour, in which Pakistan were whitewashed in the Tests and lost the One-Day Internationals 3-2.
The selectors, who dropped Younus Khan from the 30-man preliminary squad amid calls of an overhaul in the team, said they will closely monitor the performance of other seniors as well, including Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik.
However, after the completion of the domestic tournament, the officials seemed satisfied with the ‘overall performance’ of the seasoned campaigners.
Akmal managed 249 runs in five matches for NBP, including an unbeaten 132, while Malik was also impressive with a tally of 132 from three matches at a strike-rate of around 140.
Afridi’s total of 70 runs and three wickets has also satisfied the Iqbal Qasim-led committee.
“The senior players showed good form and fitness,” a selector told The Express Tribune. “Their performance will definitely help them when the final selection is made.”
However, the selector said the meetings will only be an initial discussion.
“Primarily, the selectors will review the pool of U19 players for future tournaments. There will be a discussion on the Champions Trophy line-up but the final decision will only take place after Dav Whatmore [head coach] returns from vacations.”
To a query on Umar Gul’s replacement, after the fast-bowler was ruled out of the event due to a knee injury, the selector said the preliminary squad has enough pacers already.
“This has increased Asad Ali and Ehsan Adil’s chances of a call-up.”
Asad finished as the top wicket-taker in the President’s Cup with 14 scalps in six matches, while Adil claimed nine in five games.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2013.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Ehsan adil deserves a chance.