Mohsin Khan said he did not want to say anything about the comments of a “pessimist”.
LAHORE: Chief selector Mohsin Khan while dismissing the `advice` of former Test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz to step down, appreciated Pakistan Cricket Board and governments of Sindh and Punjab for announcing cash rewards for reaching the semi-final of the World Cup.
Reacting to the press statement of Sarfraz, Mohsin said he did not want to say anything about the comments of a “pessimist”.
Mohsin was, however, all praise for Sindh and Punjab governments besides the PCB for announcing cash rewards for each player of the team and its management.
“The appreciation will encourage the squad,” Mohsin said.
To a question that why the selection committee was not honoured with the squad, the chief selector said the biggest reward for his committee was the appreciation it received from the whole nation.
“I have received a good number of messages from general masses and cricket experts, appreciating our selection for the World Cup and that is enough for us,” he said.
Asked why Imran Farhat and Mohammad Talha, top performers of the last National One-day Cup, have not been selected in the West Indies-bound squad, Mohsin said Imran had earned a good number of chances but he could not deliver with a big knock in 10 years.
“Imran remained in and out of the side during last eight to ten years and threw his wickets unnecessarily after scoring 30 or 40 runs,” he said.
When asked Taufiq Umar, who has been selected as opener, never played any One-day International for last five years, Mohsin said the left-handed batsman still had the potential and therefore he has been given a chance.
About top wicket-taker Mohammad Talha, who captured 21 wickets in the National One-day Cup, Mohsin said the paceman had been given chance in the `A` team but he failed to impress.
About the selection of another failed opener Ahmed Shahzad, Mohsin said he was given one more chance and if he failed to score this time he would be dropped.
He said Ahmed Shahzad had scored a century against New Zealand in New Zealand and thus he was retained for the World Cup but he disappointed him.
For selecting little-known Mohammad Salman as wicketkeeper, he said the team needed a wicketkeeper-cum-batsman so he was given a chance as he had scored three centuries besides holding a good number of catches in the domestic season.
