ISLAMABAD, Jan 3 (APP): With Pakistan’s six key players not cleared for selection Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is faced with an uphill task of finalizing the preliminary squad of 30 members by Wednesday for the World Cup, starting from 19th of next month.Pakistan’s bowling stars Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Asif along with Salman Butt are currently under International Cricket Council’s (ICC) suspension from participating in any form of the game due to their suspected role in the spot-fixing fiasco. The case of their alleged involvement will be heard from January 6-11 by an ICC tribunal, which will decide their future.
Apart from the suspended trio, three other mainstream players middle-order batsman Shoaib Malik, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria are also waiting for PCB’s clearance. It is widely believed that the delay in announcing the squad is mainly because these three players have also not yet been cleared by the ICC.In such a scenario former Pakistan players are doubtful of national side’s prospects in the quadrennial spectacle. While talking to APP former Chief Selector and leg-spin wizard Abdul Qadir said that it did not suit Pakistan to enter into World Cup extravaganza without Karman Akmal and some other main players. “I think that these players must be part of Pakistan squad for the World Cup if they want to finish at some respectable place,” he said.
About Pakistan team’s preparations for the World Cup, he said that they were not fully prepared for the mega event, while other teams’ had done a proper planning for the purpose.
Criticizing Shahid Afridi’s decision to open in the first two T20s against New Zealand during the ongoing tour, he said the Pakistan captain was doing experiments, which the team could not afford at this time. The board must take notice of Shahid Afridi’s such decisions, he added.
Former skipper Wasim Akram said: “One saw lack of leadership in the team and the players also did not play to their ability and if they continue playing this way then they will also lose the Test and ODI series in New Zealand.”
Akram said that it looked as if the team was not playing with unity. Because they are not playing as a team, they are facing problems and their performance is suffering, he added.
About the bowling woes of Pakistan he said, “the bowlers face problems against stronger teams as we are missing Aamir and Asif who were developing into a world class new ball opening pair.”
About Pakistan team’s preparations for the World Cup, he said that they were not fully prepared for the mega event, while other teams’ had done a proper planning for the purpose.
Criticizing Shahid Afridi’s decision to open in the first two T20s against New Zealand during the ongoing tour, he said the Pakistan captain was doing experiments, which the team could not afford at this time. The board must take notice of Shahid Afridi’s such decisions, he added.
Former skipper Wasim Akram said: “One saw lack of leadership in the team and the players also did not play to their ability and if they continue playing this way then they will also lose the Test and ODI series in New Zealand.”
Akram said that it looked as if the team was not playing with unity. Because they are not playing as a team, they are facing problems and their performance is suffering, he added.
About the bowling woes of Pakistan he said, “the bowlers face problems against stronger teams as we are missing Aamir and Asif who were developing into a world class new ball opening pair.”
