‘Selectors can appoint Misbah replacement’

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given authority to the tour selection committee on the coming tour to New Zealand and for the World Cup to appoint a replacement captain if Misbah-ul-Haq’s hamstring injury prevents him from playing.
Quoting a PCB official, a media report said on Monday that if Misbah is unable to play in New Zealand or the World Cup then the tour selection committee would confer and appoint the replacement captain.
“The tour selection committee will include the captain, head coach Waqar Younis and chief selector, Moin Khan,” the official was quoted as saying.
He stated clearly that unlike in the past when the team manager used to be part of the tour selection committee this time he will have no role to play in selection matters.
“The manager Naved Akram Cheema is the overall boss of the team on the coming assignments but he has no role to play in selection committee meetings,” the official said.
He also disclosed that Moin Khan who was recently replaced as manager by Cheema will be accompanying the team to New Zealand and for the World Cup.
“Moin will join the team in Dubai on Tuesday night and leave with them for Auckland via Brisbane,” he added.
He said for a while the board had decided against sending the chief selector to New Zealand prior to the World Cup but then changed its mind.
“Moin will now be with the team throughout the New Zealand tour and in the World Cup.”
Asked about the possible replacements to lead the team if Misbah didn’t recover before the World Cup, the official said they were several options available to the board which had discussed the matter with Misbah, Waqar and Moin.
“That is why we don’t appoint a vice-captain for any tour because it tends to create problems in the team and some players become pretenders for the captaincy. The tour selection committee is now authorized to decide what is best for the team.”
The official also dismissed media reports which were on some channels on Monday that Misbah’s injury had not healed as yet and said the Pakistan captain was making good progress and should be fit to play the World Cup.
“The medical reports about his injury are encouraging and he is also confident he will be ready for the World Cup,” the official added.