Fast bowler Mohammad Sami and left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman have been included in the World T20 squad in place of the unfit seasoned fast bowler Umar Gul and all-rounder Yasir Arafat as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) overruled the choice of the little-known fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, announced by Coach Waqar Younis and Chief Selector Mohsin Hasan Khan before the media earlier on Sunday.
“The national selection committee headed by Mohsin Khan has recommended the names of Mohammad Sami and Abdul Rehman to replace the injured Umar Gul and Yasir Arafat for the ICC World Twenty20. The names have been approved by PCB chairman,” stated a short press release from the board on Monday.
The PCB, on Sunday, faced much embarrassment when head coach Waqar stunned everyone at a press conference by revealing that Sami and Irfan would be making the squad in place of the two injured fast bowlers.
In fact, both Yasir and Umar were still to appear before the medical panel on April 20 in order to clear their final fitness test, so no one was expecting the sudden announcement, especially about Irfan, who was not even included in the preliminary list of 30 probables.
Waqar’s announcement was endorsed by Mohsin as well. But then came a press release from the PCB, indicating that something was wrong as it stated that the changes would need the PCB chairman’s approval, who is the authority for giving the final nod in such instances.
Commenting on the new development, Coach Waqar told Dawn: “The names of Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Sami were recommended by the captain and myself while keeping our strategy in mind. But what can I do, they opted for Abdul Rehman!”
source(dawn News)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Current Subscribers
