Khalid Mahmood satisfied with Pakistan squad (7 April 1999)

7 April 1999

Khalid Mahmood satisfied with Pakistan squad

Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, April 6: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Khalid Mahmood on Tuesday said he endorses the selection of the selectors who picked an ideal team for the World Cup as former Test stalwarts showered praise on the selectors.

Little Master Hanif Mohammad said: "I am fully satisfied with the selection of the team. It is a very well balanced side."

Hasib Ahsan, former chairman of selectors, remarked: "In terms of bowling, it is the best side every selected for the World Cup. Fielding department is also better than the previous teams that played in the event while batting is reaching the standard set by the former super stars."

Khalid Mahmood said from Lahore:"They have picked the best team keeping in mind the conditions the team would face in England. I fully support the selectors' choice and wish the team best of luck."

He said the selection committee was independent "and that tradition was once again maintained. They were given full powers to pick players of their choice and the executive council of the PCB backed them."

Mahmood said the selected team was capable of winning the World Cup. "But they will have to remove some of the technical flows like slow over-rate and conceding too many extras. Bowling is our strong point and we can't afford to commit mistakes in that area. Then the batsmen will be required to bat more sensibly on seaming tracks and post decent scores like 250 odd which I think can be defended if the bowling attack remains consistent.

"If we quickly remove these flows, I have reasons to believe that Pakistan can regain the lost crown," he remarked.

Asked if the Indian tour was the turning point in Pakistan's preparations for the World Cup, the PCB chairman replied: "I think right decisions at the right time were the turning point.

"I think the best decision was the appointment of Wasim Akram as captain. He developed the team into one unit. Then we got the right team combination. In addition to this, the gap between the players and the cricket board was bridged."

Hanif Mohammad, however, said the selection of two allrounders was a bit surprising. "I think, if Arshad Khan had been preferred over one of the allrounders, it would have been better. Arshad bowls within the stumps."

He, nevertheless, believed that the selectors were banking more on Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmad. "But even then, Pakistan are certainly one of the favourites to win the title."

Hanif said Pakistan batsmen will have to play the key role in the tournament. "They will have to put up some runs so that the bowlers can play with. I think that when they return from Sharjah, they should practice on seaming tracks because in May and June, they are unlikely to get brown tracks. In addition to this, most of Pakistan's matches are outside London so there would be little sun shine and thus seamers will play the leading role."

Hasib Ahsan said Pakistan is blessed with the best bowlers today "and this makes Pakistan's chances equal to that of Australia and South Africa."

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)