PCB dismisses Razzaqs bias charge against selectors

Pakistan chief selector Salahuddin Ahmad has dismissed all-rounder Abdul Razzaqs allegation that the PCB selection committee did not pick the team for Twenty20 World Championship on merit, saying there was no victimization.

Lahore, Aug 21 : Pakistan chief selector Salahuddin Ahmad has dismissed all-rounder Abdul Razzaq's allegation that the PCB selection committee did not pick the team for Twenty20 World Championship on merit, saying there was no victimization.

"The team for the Twenty20 World Championship was picked purely on merit. I still believe that Razzaq has a future in Pakistan cricket, and he should reconsider his decision," Ahmad said.

Razzaq announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday, saying he took the decision in protest at his omission from the Pakistan team for the inaugural World Cup of the game's shortest version to be held in South Africa next month.

"The selectors dropped me from the Twenty20 World Cup squad and I was very upset and disappointed. But none of them bothered to call me up and tell me why I was dropped," the Daily Times quoted 27-year-old Razzaq as telling a private channel from London.

"Their (PCB officials) attitude has hurt me a lot. And, this has forced me to retire from international cricket," added Razzaq, who is in England to sign a short contract with Worcestershire county.

However, he denied signing up to play in the Indian Cricket League (ICL), saying he had received an offer, but had yet to make a decision. "I have not signed any deal with the Indian league."

Razzaq scored 4,465 runs and took 240 wickets in 231 one-day internationals. In Tests, he has scored 1,146 runs and took 100 wickets in 46 matches.

ANI