PCB announces T20 WC squad,no word on captain

Speculation is high that all-rounder Abdul Razzaq or opener Salman Butt could be handed over the reins of the team. Despite insistence,chief selector Mohsin Khan did not reveal why the squad was announced without a captain.

“The PCB Chairman has assured us whoever is appointed captain will have no objections to the squad we have selected. There are number of contenders for the captaincy but the Board will take the final decision,” Mohsin said.

The PCB on Wednesday,in a sweeping move,clamped an indefinite ban on former captains Muhammad Yousuf and Younus Khan and also banned Shoaib Malik and all-rounder Rana Naved for 12 months.

Mohsin said Afridi,Kamran and Umar were picked in the squad because they were key players in the T20 format.

“They have been penalised and fined and the board has told us they are eligible for selection. Malik and Rana were not eligible we didn’t consider them at all,” Mohsin said. He also said that the new coach Waqar Younis was not part of the discussion today since he was already aware of all the players in contention.

Hafeez returns to the team after being ignored by the selectors for nearly three years. He last played in any form of the game for Pakistan in October,2007 but has been impressive in recent domestic events including the just concluded National T20 Championship.

The selectors have also picked Misbah and Hammad on basis of their recent form and performances,Mohsin said. He conceded that defending the title would be an enormous challenge for the side but was optimistic of team’s chances.

“The past is now history and we need to prepare for the future,” he said.

The tournament will be held in West Indies from April 30. Squad: Muhammad Hafeez,Salman Butt,Khalid Latif,Misbah-ul-Haq,Shahid Afridi,Fawad Alam,Umar Akmal,Abdul Razzaq,Yasir Arafat,Kamran Akmal,Saeed Ajmal,Muhammad Asif,Muhammad Aamer,Umar Gul,Hammad Azam.

Reserves: Muhammad Sami,Sarfaraz Ahmed,Naved Yasin,Raza Hasan,Shahzaib Hasan.