Pak Selection Chief Hints Leaving Out Some Senior Players

Karachi: Pakistan's chief selector Mohsin Khan on Monday gave a clear indication that some senior like Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik could miss out in the World Cup preliminary squad but said there would be enough talent in the national team to do well in the mega event.

"No player is irreplaceable and life goes on and similar is the case with Pakistan cricket. Even if we lose some of our leading players it would be a setback but not something that would mean we can't do well in our coming series and tournaments," Mohsin told reporters in Lahore.

"Let me make it very clear today we can't announce any team without first getting clearance from the board. Every selection we make for every tour or series we need the approval of the board. We don't pick any player unless he is cleared by the PCB," he said.

Reports said that besides the three suspended players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer - Pakistan could also be without other leading players who have not got clearance from the ICC or PCB to play international cricket.

Kamran Akmal and Danish Kaneria last week met with the officials of the board to find out why they were being ignored for national selection.

"The board chairman has told us the reason but it is something we can't discuss at this time," Kaneria had said after his meeting in Lahore.

The national selectors are scheduled to announce the World Cup preliminary squad on Wednesday after meeting with the PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt.

Mohsin also made it clear that they had been told in clear terms by the board not to make any compromises on fitness or discipline.

"We will not pick unfit players in the team. Players have to be passed by the medical panel to be in the team," the former opener said.

He also noted that the forthcoming tour to New Zealand would be a difficult one for Pakistan as batting conditions there were never easy.

"But I think the way our batsmen coped in England in similar conditions they have the ability to do well in New Zealand as well. We badly need a win to be confident for the World Cup," he said.