Bazid's case to reopen: Wasim Bari defends 'A' team selection

Karachi, July 3: The Pakistan cricket selectors came out in defence of the `A' squad chosen for the tour of Kenya, emphasising that performance had been the criterion for selection.

The chairman of the selectors, Wasim Bari, said: "There can be difference of opinion on a couple of players, but fact of the matter is that all the selected boys had performed exceedingly well in the domestic circuit."

The selectors ignored promising youngsters like Hasan Raza, Shadab Kabir, Imran Abbas, Jaffar Nazir, Naumanullah and Kabir Khan for this month's tour of Kenya.

"I know a few players have missed the bus. But we used our judgement. This tour is not the end of the world. It is a very long season and I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities for these players to show their mettle."

Bari said the team had been selected keeping in mind the itinerary of the tour. "There are five one-day games and just one four-dayer."

But when pointed out that skipper Mohammad Wasim was not considered for the one-day internationals, Bari emphasised that a senior and experienced player was needed to lead the team. He remained unconvincing when argued that Hasan Raza had done a satisfactory job when he led Pakistan Under-19 in the Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka earlier this year.

The former Test captain, nevertheless, agreed that at least an extra player could have gone to Kenya in the background that additional players were sent on Test tours. "But that is primarily the decision of the board. We were asked to pick 14 players which we did."

When told that at least three players, including two Test cricketers, sacrificed their contracts in England when they returned from the midseason to attend the training camp but failed to earn selectors' nod, Bari said: "It was unfortunate but Sajid Shah also returned in the hope to be selected. He was chosen but there was no guarantee.

"I mean this is the risk the players sometimes have to take. Our intentions were not to affect their livelihood. It had been a tough selection and I am sad for those who couldn't break into the team."

Bari admitted that his panel had recommended the names of captain and vice-captain but the board was the competent authority to appoint them. He said at no stage the board instructed his committee not to consider Bazid Khan who had refused to represent Pakistan in the Youth World Cup because Sarfraz Nawaz was appointed one of the coaches.

"If there had been a disciplinary case, he (Bazid Khan) should have been suspended. Now if he is available for selection, why can't he be considered for the captaincy or vice-captaincy," he argued.

Yawar Saeed, director of the PCB, said from Islamabad that he will look into Bazid's case whether he breached the code of conduct."We were not in charge when Bazid withdrew. But now I will see what actually happened. I can't comment what will the board do."

Yawar, however, reiterated that the 14-man squad was approved by the chairman.