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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Akmal, Malik to make it to WC squad?




Former captain Shoaib Malik and stumper batsman Kamran Akmal are likely to be included in Pakistan's 2011 World Cup preliminary squad and also in the squad for the ODI series in New Zealand, sources said on Wednesday.

The source said the two players along with spinner Danish Kaneria have submitted the relevant documents, required by the PCB's integrity committee, which is probing the backgrounds of the players in the wake of spot-allegations against Pakistani cricketers.

The two-day meet of the committee will begin on Thursday and is expected to give clearance to both Malik and Akmal.

"There is every likelihood that Kamran and Malik will be cleared by the integrity committee as they have submitted most of the relevant documents about their assets that they were asked to give by the integrity committee," the source said.

The source also said that there was plenty of pressure and demand from the Pakistan team management and national selectors on the committee to give a final answer on the two senior players.

"The integrity committee meeting will be held under the supervision of the Board Chiarman Ijaz Butt. It will interview the three players again tomorrow," he said.

According to sources, Kaneria was not under consideration for the one-day squad but his case was also important as it would decide whether he gets clearance from the Board to go and play in county cricket in 2011.

"The national selectors have also scheduled a two-day meeting on Thursday and Friday to discuss and deliberate upon the two squads. They are keen on having Malik and Kamran in the side and have the backing of coach Waqar Younis and captain Shahid Afridi on the issue," the source said.

The Board's integrity committee has asked the players to submit documents in the wake of spot-fixing allegations. Kamran Akmal said he had done whatever the Board asked him to do.

"I am just keen to play for Pakistan again and I am keeping my fingers crossed. (Hope) the board will allow the selectors to consider me for World Cup selection tomorrow," Kamran said.

The selectors had ignored Akmal from Pakistan's squad for the series against South Africa and New Zealand.



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