PCB approaches ICC ahead of shortlisting WC squad
http://paki-cric.blogspot.com/2011/01/pcb-approaches-icc-ahead-of.html
The Pakistan Cricket Board has again approached the International Cricket Council to allow it to select players involved in the spot-fixing scandal in their preliminary World Cup squad. The PCB has not yet cleared the names of wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal, all-rounder Shoaib Malik and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, pending clearance for their alleged role in the spot-fixing scandal.
Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt, pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer already remain suspended by the ICC over charges of spot-fixing during the Lord's Test against England in August.
Pakistan has time until January 5 to announce a 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup to be held in the subcontinent.
The PCB's national selection committee concluded a two-day meeting in Lahore on Friday but postponed the announcement of the squad for the World Cup, as the trio is yet to be cleared by the board over their alleged links with bookmakers.
Chief selector Mohsin Khan, who chaired the meeting, admitted that the announcement had been delayed due to questions over availability of some players. He said since they had time until January 5 to announce the squad, they wanted to be doubly sure about getting clearance from the board on certain players.
Well placed sources said that the board had informed the national selectors about contacting the ICC again for assistance.
"Basically the PCB has asked the ICC for its views on giving clearance to Malik, Akmal and even leg-spinner, Danish Kaneria," a source said.
"They want to first get the nod from the ICC before deciding on whether they should select Akmal and Malik for the World Cup preliminary squad and for the one-day series in New Zealand," the source added.
The integrity committee, formed by the PCB to examine suspicions against their players, had asked these three players to submit details of their assets and bank accounts due to suspicion that they might be involved in spot-fixing.
The source said that some of the members of the integrity committee, who interviewed the three players on Wednesday, were not satisfied with the explanation given by Akmal in particular about his sources of income.
"There is a mixed opinion among the committee members. They want to be certain about the integrity of these players before clearing them for selection," the source added.
Pakistan has time until January 5 to announce a 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup to be held in the subcontinent.
The PCB's national selection committee concluded a two-day meeting in Lahore on Friday but postponed the announcement of the squad for the World Cup, as the trio is yet to be cleared by the board over their alleged links with bookmakers.
Chief selector Mohsin Khan, who chaired the meeting, admitted that the announcement had been delayed due to questions over availability of some players. He said since they had time until January 5 to announce the squad, they wanted to be doubly sure about getting clearance from the board on certain players.
Well placed sources said that the board had informed the national selectors about contacting the ICC again for assistance.
"Basically the PCB has asked the ICC for its views on giving clearance to Malik, Akmal and even leg-spinner, Danish Kaneria," a source said.
"They want to first get the nod from the ICC before deciding on whether they should select Akmal and Malik for the World Cup preliminary squad and for the one-day series in New Zealand," the source added.
The integrity committee, formed by the PCB to examine suspicions against their players, had asked these three players to submit details of their assets and bank accounts due to suspicion that they might be involved in spot-fixing.
The source said that some of the members of the integrity committee, who interviewed the three players on Wednesday, were not satisfied with the explanation given by Akmal in particular about his sources of income.
"There is a mixed opinion among the committee members. They want to be certain about the integrity of these players before clearing them for selection," the source added.
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