Pakistan selector quits over team change by AFP

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Player:

Salahuddin

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DateLine: 9th October 2008

 

Pakistan's chief cricket selector said Thursday he had resigned after administrators changed a member of the squad bound for a Twenty20 tournament in Canada without asking him.

 

Salahuddin Ahmed said he took the decision after off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was replaced in the 15-man squad that selectors had named to take part in the four-nation event.

 

"We selected the team on pure merit but after it was released to the media we were shocked to see Ajmal replaced by opener Shoaib Khan. The team already had three openers, so I tendered my resignation," Ahmed told AFP.

 

The resignation was faxed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hours before the team left for Toronto on Wednesday night to compete in the tournament, which takes place October 10-13.

 

Ahmed, who took over in April 2007 following Pakistan's disastrous first-round exit from the World Cup in the West Indies, said he was hurt by what had happened.

 

"I am hurt and upset that they made a change in the team we chose without even bothering to inform us about it," said Ahmed, who played five Tests for Pakistan.

 

"I did my job with honesty and sincerity and there was no compromise on merit (of selected players)," he said.

 

The PCB last week said that the selected squad would have to be approved by the sports ministry. The PCB said it had received Ahmed's resignation but did not comment on who made the change.

 

Former Test wicket-keeper Ejaz Butt took over as PCB chairman earlier this week, replacing Nasim Ashraf, who resigned two months ago.

 

Butt is likely to appoint a new selection panel shortly, officials said.

(Article: Copyright © 2008 AFP)