Announcement of WC squad delayed

 LAHORE: After two-day meetings of the selection committee announcement of the 2011 World Cup probables and a 15-member Pakistan squad for the ODI series against New Zealand was on Wednesday delayed until next week, mainly due to the clearance issues of some players.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued on Wednesday a news release regarding deferment of the squads, saying: “A meeting of the selection committee was held today (Wednesday) at the PCB headquarters in which the squad for the ODI series in New Zealand and names of 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup came under discussion.

“A meeting of the Integrity Committee was also held with [PCB chairman] Ijaz Butt in the chair. Other members of the Integrity Committee — Subhan Ahmed (COO), Justice (r) Jamshed Ali, Mohsin Khan (chief selector), Zakir Khan (Director Cricket Operations International), Sultan Rana (Director Cricket Operations Domestic), Col. Wasim (Security Manager/ Integrity Officer) and Tafazzul Rizvi Advocate (Special Invitee) — attended the meeting.

“All the issues relating to the clearance of players came under discussion. The Committee decided that further consideration of this matter is required. The ODI squad for New Zealand series and that (preliminary) for the 2011 World Cup will be announced at a later date.”

Though the news release did not mention the name of such players, whose clearance is yet to be received, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria appeared before the Integrity Committee on Wednesday to clear their position, as the PCB had some information about them regarding fixing suspicions.

The selectors, sources said, wanted to pick Malik and Kamran for the New Zealand ODI series and the World Cup. However, for the said inclusions, PCB’s clearance is essential