Yousuf, Tanvir’s World Cup chances renewed

Duo to prove fitness before selection of preliminary squad: selector.

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to extend the deadline to announce the World Cup preliminary squad has given a new lease of life to injured players like former captain Mohammad Yousuf and left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had asked the ICC to extend the deadline while it sought information from Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and Danish Kaneria who are being investigated for their alleged links with bookies. The governing body accepted the request and extended the deadline from December 19 to January 5.

According to a selector, however, due to fitness issues both Yousuf and Tanvir were also almost overlooked for the 30-man squad, which was finalised during a series of meetings before its announcement was deferred due to the players’ clearance issue.

The selectors are now looking to assess the fitness of Yousuf and Tanvir who were not picked for the New Zealand assignment.

“We will not only just sit and wait for the green signal by the PCB but also avail the given time given to mull over other options,” a selector told The Express Tribune.

“It is a good opportunity for players like Yousuf and Tanvir to show their fitness before the final selection.”

Yousuf, who returned home from the UAE during the series against South Africa following a groin injury, was overlooked for the Twenty20 and the Test series in New Zealand. In the meantime, Tanvir, who has not played a One-Day International since May last year due to fitness issues, was selected in the Test and Twenty20 squad but was dropped at the eleventh hour after failing to recover from a knee injury.

However, the selector said both the players will be given a chance and may undergo a fitness test before the squad announcement.

“We want to select the best team and we will look for every option including Tanvir and Yousuf. The duo would be under the scanner and may go through a fitness test before the squad selection.”

Salman seeks hearing extension

Struggling to clear Salman Butt’s name from spot-fixing allegations, the former captain’s legal team has now asked the ICC to delay the hearing which is set to start from January 6 in Doha, Qatar. A member of the legal team said the British firm, which the suspended player hired, has sent a request to the ICC to postpone the hearing until a report from the Scotland Yard.

“We want the Scotland Yard report because things will become clearer after it,” said a member of the legal team.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2010.