Media criticism forces PCB to replace chairman's son as captain

Lt-Gen. Tauqir Zia, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has over-ruled the selection of his son to lead the national under-23 team in the Emerging Nations Cup, in the light of considerable media criticism which accused the selectors of neoptism.

Junaid Zia, 19, was chosen as captain of the team by the selectors, headed by Aamer Sohail, to play in the triangular tournament featuring India and Sri Lanka in Colombo later this month.

But the day after the announcement, Tauqir, who retired from the army last week, overturned the selection of his son, saying he was too young to lead the side. Sohail quoted Tauqir in a statement as saying: "I respect the decision of the selectors, but in my opinion Junaid is too young to handle a team." Sohail announced that Qaisar Abbas would now lead the side, and Junaid would be vice-captain.

Junaid was also controversially picked for the current one-day series against Bangladesh, ahead of some other notable performers, a decision which also went down badly in the national press. Junaid failed to take any wickets in his first match at Multan, but took 3 for 21 in the second ODI at Faisalabad.

Intikhab Alam, the former Pakistan captain, said he felt sorry for Junaid: "His selection was unjustified but I feel sorry for the youngster, it's not his fault, it's up to the selectors to realise that others are better than him."