Yousuf, Razzaq omitted after Shoaib Maliks opposition

Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik is said to have played a major role in the omission of senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from the squad for the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship to be played in South Africa next month.

Karachi, Aug 23 : Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik is said to have played a major role in the omission of senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from the squad for the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship to be played in South Africa next month.

The Dawn quoted an insider as saying that Malik voiced his opposition against the inclusion of Yousuf and Razzaq when the national selection committee asked the Pakistan captain to give his input for the team selection.

The insider, a former Lahore-based Test cricketer, claimed that Malik didn't feel comfortable in having Yousuf in the squad due to his 'lack of athleticism in the field and a weak throwing arm.'

On Razzaq, Malik said the all-rounder was not worth a place for the Twenty20 format since his medium-pace bowling had lost the nip to unsettle batsmen.

"The ball barely reaches the wicket-keeper at a decent pace when Razzaq bowls these days," Malik was quoted by the insider as telling the selectors.

The decision to omit the two senior players has invited a lot of criticism for Chief Selector Salahuddin and his fellow selectors- Saleem Jaffer and Shafqat Rana.

Unhappy with their omission, both Yousuf and Razzaq have signed up for the parallel Indian Cricket League (ICL) along with former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Razzaq has also announced his retirement from international cricket.

ANI