ICC Champions Trophy: Final squad expected today
Selectors to meet team management in decisive meeting in Lahore: Qasim .
Initial discussions held last week between the selection committee and team management saw most of the stake holders against the inclusion of Afridi, says an official. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
The inclusion of all-rounder Shahid Afridi will be the main debate as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee and team management meet in Lahore today to finalise the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Initial discussions held last week between the selection committee and team management saw most of the stake holders against the inclusion of the star all-rounder, said an official close to the team management.
The hard-hitting batsman, who has seen a dip in form barring a few handy knocks, was preferred on the South Africa tour due to his additional abilities as a leg-spinner.
However, Afridi’s failure with the ball in recent games is going against his favour.
Afridi was axed from the One-Day International (ODI) squad for the India tour last December before regaining his place in the format for the series against South Africa.
Chief selector Iqbal Qasim, while refusing to share details, confirmed that the decisive round of meeting with the team management will be held today.
“We will finalise and send the squad to PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf on Monday [today],” Qasim told The Express Tribune. “The team announcement may be made the same day but it depends on when the chairman approves it.”
‘Selection after fitness reports’
Meanwhile, the official close to the team management said fitness test of players will also be assessed to finalise the squad.
The official added that Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir were also likely to be excluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2013.
The inclusion of all-rounder Shahid Afridi will be the main debate as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee and team management meet in Lahore today to finalise the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Initial discussions held last week between the selection committee and team management saw most of the stake holders against the inclusion of the star all-rounder, said an official close to the team management.
The hard-hitting batsman, who has seen a dip in form barring a few handy knocks, was preferred on the South Africa tour due to his additional abilities as a leg-spinner.
However, Afridi’s failure with the ball in recent games is going against his favour.
Afridi was axed from the One-Day International (ODI) squad for the India tour last December before regaining his place in the format for the series against South Africa.
Chief selector Iqbal Qasim, while refusing to share details, confirmed that the decisive round of meeting with the team management will be held today.
“We will finalise and send the squad to PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf on Monday [today],” Qasim told The Express Tribune. “The team announcement may be made the same day but it depends on when the chairman approves it.”
‘Selection after fitness reports’
Meanwhile, the official close to the team management said fitness test of players will also be assessed to finalise the squad.
The official added that Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir were also likely to be excluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2013.