Malik wasn't given reason for World Cup exclusion

Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan allrounder, has said he was not given any reason for his omission from Pakistan's 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup. Malik, a former Pakistan captain, had been under the scanner of the PCB's integrity committee along with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and legspinner Danish Kaneria. None of the three players has played for Pakistan since their controversial tour of England in July.

Pakistan had delayed the announcement of their 30-man squad till January 5 to give the three players a chance to provide evidence to clear them for selection, but only Kamran was included in the list for the tournament that starts on February 19.

"It's tough to pacify yourself when you are not given a reason for your omission," Malik said. "Cricket teaches you discipline, so with discipline and determination I will strive to get my place back. It's a great honour to play in the World Cup but I will not allow my confidence level to dip and will continue to perform at the domestic level." He has scored 725 runs at an average of 120.83 in Division One of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan's premier first-class competition, this season.

Kamran, meanwhile, expressed his delight at his inclusion among the probables. "I have always played cricket the right way and when the PCB asked me to appear before the committee I complied and I am happy that they have included me in the preliminary squad." Kamran told AFP.

Kamran, Malik and Kaneria had been asked to appear before the integrity committee and provide details of their bank accounts, assets and property holdings from the last three years, to clear their names from possible involvement in spot-fixing.

The PCB did not make it clear which of the players had been cleared. "There is a lot of speculation in the media regarding clearance or otherwise of players by the integrity committee of the PCB," Pakistan's chief selector Mohsin Khan said. "The integrity committee has given its views on some players to the selection committee which has taken into consideration that input and has selected the 30 players for the World Cup."

Kamran had received an ACSU notice earlier in the year regarding events during the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean but has since asked for and received a written clearance from the ICC. He had also been named by alleged bookmaker Mazhar Majeed on Pakistan channel Geo as among seven players obeying his orders during matches. He has scored 767 runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Division One this season, including a career-best 268.

The trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, who faced an ICC tribunal in Doha on Thursday over spot-fixing allegations, were not in the 30 World Cup probables. Kamran said Pakistan could win the tournament despite their absence. "We have to play with the available players and I am sure that if we play to our potential we can win the World Cup," he said.