Miandad pulls out of selection body

Lahore, Nov 13: Pakistan coach Javed Miandad has withdrawn as co-opted member of the national selection committee. Miandad, the former captain, said he has conveyed his decision to the chairman of the selectors Wasim Bari. He, however, said he was available to serve as tour selection committee boss.

"I was called to attend the meeting on Monday. But I communicated my decision to Wasim Bari," Miandad said.

He said he was withdrawing from the panel because he didn't want to be targeted as promoting individuals, indirectly hinting at his nephew Faisal Iqbal who has been wrongly targeted for getting support from his great uncle.

"I am not interested in taking criticism for selecting certain individuals who didn't merit a place in the team. Although I am just a co-opted member, the general feeling is that I was calling the shots," Pakistan's leading run-getter in Tests said.

Miandad said the Pakistan captain can now have 14 or 15 players of his choice. "I will now come into the picture when the team is selected.

"I will discuss things with the captain and try to chalk out a match winning strategy. But I believe in supporting the captain and the players he wants," Miandad repeated.

Miandad admitted that everywhere in the Test playing countries, coach was the co-opted member "but not everywhere the integrity of the coach is doubted. My heart breaks when I read or hear people saying I was promoting an individual.

"My job is to guide the players, mastermind game plan and extend full support to the captain and the players. I make these as my limits and am not willing to cross them," Miandad added.