Tauqir for changes in team

Karachi, Feb 5: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia, said on Saturday that the selectors had a free hand but he would like to see a couple of changes in the middle-order.

Talking to Dawn from Mangla, the general said he would not like to put any pressure on the selectors but stressed that changes were needed to give the youngsters an opportunity to taste top level cricket.

He, however, didn't mention the names of the players who would be replaced from the middle-order.

The general, however, said the selectors will have to keep in mind which of the players would be available for the 2003 World Cup.

He said when the advisory council will submit the first match squad, he will cross-examine the selectors. "There has to be transparency. I will ask them about the exclusion and inclusion of players. The advisory council has been directed to select the players keeping all the records - current and past - before them while they pick the team."

Lt-Gen Tauqir said the advisory council, which will select the team, will propose the squad to him on Sunday. He said the council has been told to suggest the captain for the series against Sri Lanka.

"We have still not decided who will lead the team. The advisory council will suggest the name of the captain and if their argument carried weight, their proposal would be implemented," he said.

He stated that the team for the first one-day international will be announced on Feb 10 in Karachi after the second warm up match against Sri Lanka. "I would prefer to go on day-to-day policy."

The general said the Lahore one-dayer on Feb 19 will be a day contest.