Cricket officials hail Sallu’s services for Pakistan cricket

KARACHI: ICC President Zaheer Abbas, PCB Executive Committee Chairman Najam Sethi and former captain Intikhab Alam showered praise on former Test cricketer and chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu for completing his 50-year association with Pakistan cricket recently.

Sallu, who made his Test debut for Pakistan against New Zealand in 1965, also served as national selector for a record ten times, including twice as chief selector.

During his tenures as selector, Sallu was instrumental in introducing several match-winning players, including Saeed Anwar, Moin Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and many others.

A high-profile reception has been arranged in Sallu’s honour on Saturday (today) at the Hotel Movenpick, where many prominent personalities of Pakistan cricket as well as the members of the current national team will be in attendance.

“Sallu has been a shining example in Pakistan cricket. The fact that he has held the selector’s post on ten occasions, speaks volumes of his honesty, competence and dedication,” Zaheer said while speaking about Sallu’s achievements.

“He always enjoyed the trust and respect of not only his bosses, but also his colleagues and players which is a rare thing in Pakistan cricket,” he added.

He said that Sallu’s 50-year association was a huge milestone for him.

Sethi, too, lauded Sallu’s services and said he served Pakistan cricket with conviction all these years.

“He (Sallu) has served Pakistan cricket efficiently and diligently,” he said.

“From being a good cricketer to being an honest chief selector and mentor, he has selected and groomed so many players who went onto represent Pakistan with aplomb. I wish him the very best on this auspicious occasion,” he added.

Ex-Test skipper Intikhab Alam, who played alongside Sallu as senior colleague in the Test side during the 60s, echoed Zaheer and Sethi’s views.

“Sallu and I go a long way and I have always had high regard for him for being a man of principle,” he said.