The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) national selection committee has delayed announcing the preliminary squad for the World Cup.
The national selectors concluded a two-day meeting in Lahore today but postponed the announcement of the squad for the tournament, scheduled to be played in the sub-continent from February, as the trio is yet to be cleared by the PCB over their alleged links with bookmakers.Chief selector Mohsin Khan, who chaired the meeting, admitted that the announcement had been delayed due to questions over availability of some players.
"We had lengthy discussions on performance and availability of many players. We were of the opinion that since we still have a few days before the deadline for announcing the World Cup squad it would be better to wait until there is a clarity from the PCB on the availability of certain players before announcing the 30-member preliminary squad," Mohsin said.
The PCB has already taken an extension from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on its deadline until January 5 to announce its preliminary squad. The selectors also couldn't reach a conclusion on announcing the one-day squad for the series in New Zealand in January.
Well placed sources said that the selectors were keen to have wicket-keeper Akmal and former captain Malik in the World Cup squad and were prepared to wait for clearance from the board.
"The integrity committee is still not satisfied with the details of their assets, accounts and sources of income submitted by Malik and Kamran while there is also an issue with some documents related to from leg-spinner Danish Kaneria," a source said.
The three players appeared before the integrity committee in Lahore yesterday and were questioned by the members.
The source said the integrity committee wanted to be absolutely sure before clearing these players for national selection as the PCB had given a commitment to the ICC that it would not pick any player suspected to be involved in illegal activities.
"As far as these three are concerned the board still has doubts over their alleged role and links with bookmakers," the source added.
The integrity committee was constituted recently after the ICC gave the PCB a deadline for introducing reforms in its administration and seriously implementing anti-corruption laws in Pakistan cricket.
