Whispers rife as PCB chief selector resigns

Speculation suggests tiff after Qasim’s exit, another outgoing selector denies row.

KARACHI: Within hours of announcing the One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 squads for the upcoming West Indies tour, Iqbal Qasim resigned as the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee, citing domestic reasons.

However, the abrupt decision of the former Test cricketer, who up until yesterday showed no signs of his intention, has fuelled speculation of indifferences existing between the selection committee and the team management.

“I want to dedicate more time to some domestic issues, which, otherwise, were being neglected,” Qasim said in a statement released by the PCB. “The selection process was consuming a very large part of my daily schedule, which I was finding difficult to handle considering that I am also a full time employee with a bank [National Bank of Pakistan].

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank both the chairmen of the PCB, Zaka Ashraf and Najam Sethi [interim chairman] with whom I have worked.

“I am also thankful to Misbahul Haq and Mohammad Hafeez for the confidence they have shown in me.”

Signs of a rift?

Qasim became the chief selector for the second time in March last year. His one-year contract expired at the start of April and he requested the then PCB chairman Ashraf to release him but agreed to continue at the chief’s insistence, Qasim had said at the time.

However, despite Qasim’s statements, speculations of a rift continued to do the rounds.

Reports suggest the selection committee and team management began the final day’s meeting on Wednesday amid arguments between the different stakeholders on the selection of a certain set of players.

It has been suggested that the team management wanted to include Shoaib Malik in the Twenty20 squad, while the selection committee was bent on removing the seasoned all-rounder after his failure at the ICC Champions Trophy. Reports of indifference had earlier also surfaced when all-rounder Shahid Afridi was dropped for the Champions Trophy.

However, another outgoing member of the selection committee denied the reports.

“The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere and this is all speculation. All the stakeholders were totally on board and their combined press conference was evidence of that.

“It’s simple — Qasim wasn’t interested in continuing due to various matters including his health issues and personal commitments.”

PCB to form a new selection committee 

The PCB, following Qasim’s resignation, dissolved the five-member selection committee that also comprised Salim Jaffar, Farrukh Zaman, Azher Khan and Asif Baloch.

However, interim chairman Sethi praised the outgoing chairman of selectors, saying he will continue to seek advice from the former cricketer.

“He’s done a great service to the country,” said the interim chairman. “He has given a fitting farewell to the team by presiding over
its selection committee meeting prior to the West Indies tour.”

Meanwhile, a PCB official said the board will consider the formation of a new selection committee and chairman at an ‘appropriate time’.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2013.

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