LAHORE – Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul Haq gave astraight and clear message to dropped captain Sarfraz Ahmed and all playersto work hard as doors are open to all players and performance is the onlycriteria for getting a slot in the national team.
“A baseless controversy has been created after exclusion of Sarfraz as notheory exists behind that he was not selected and the only reason was beingthe out of form and nothing else,” he told a press conference whileannouncing Pak T20 and test squads for the tour of Australia here at theGaddafi Stadium Pakistan will play three T20 internationals and two testmatches in Down Under later this month.
“I have a clear and straight message for Sarfraz and all the players toperform up to a required level by putting in hard work and it is the onlyway to get a place in the national squad,” said the head coach.
“We have focused our sights on the future of Pakistan cricket andrebuilding of the team in order to meet future challenges and it isimperative to have the best players in the squad to take on a toughchallenge in Australia in a brave and decent manner by demonstratingaggressive and fearless cricket,” he asserted.
“There is no controversy behind the axing of Sarfraz as a captain and as aplayer (wicketkeeper), as he is a talented player and with hard work andperformance he can make a comeback as the doors are open only for him butalso for those who were not considered,” he added.
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He pointed out that Pakistan Cricket Board has framed a clear policyregarding the selection of the team and the PCB Chairman, Ehsan Mani hasalso stated that performance was the only criteria in the players selectionin the team and Sarfraz’s recent decline in the game was the reason that hewas not considered for captaincy.
“We are working with an open mind policy as far as selection of the team isconsidered and we are taking every decision in the larger interest ofPakistan cricket,” he said adding “Sarfraz enjoyed our backing and supportas he is a good cricketer and performed for the country in the past and heand other players (Sarfraz and other dropped players) can still beconsidered provided they meet the laid down criteria of performance in theteam selection in future.”
