LAHORE April 27, 2014: Ref article by M Yaqoob in Dawn 26 April regarding National Selection Committee, and Coaching Camp for National Cricket Team starting May 6, the PCB would like to explain the rationale and reasons behind its decisions in both matters.
This is the first time that the PCB has opted for such a high profiled selection committee. Led by ex-captain Moin Khan, it comprises experienced test cricketers like Salim Yousuf, Shoaib Mohammad and Ejaz Ahmed who, among themselves, have 206 Tests and 388 ODIs experience and who have been involved in domestic cricket one way or the other for a long time.
The Selection Committee also has representation from Sindh, Punjab and KPK provinces. No one from Balochistan is available with international playing credentials.
The prime job of the Committee is to select the Pakistan National Team and not any city or district team. It is wrong to claim that Haroon Rashid has been made the coordinator of this National Selection Committee, as no announcement has been made in this regard and there is no intention to do so in the future as well.
As far as the holding of training camp from May 6, 2014, and not in July as advocated by M Yaqoob in his report, is concerned, this is merely an off-season training and conditioning camp for players who might be part of the Pakistan team in the future. In the last couple of years the standards of fitness and fielding of national players taking part in domestic as well as international levels were not up to the desired level and It has already been planned to have off-season camps in 12 regions for not only Pakistan players but also for emerging, regional players at first class and U-19 would be held during the off-season. The Entire NCA support staff would be involved under Mohammad Akram to look after this camp.
Due to Ramadan in July, coupled with the arrival of the Monsoon, and workload of players after August, 2014, this May-June period is being utilized to assess and further strengthen the fitness and fielding of national and emerging players who are expected to be involved in future international commitments.
