April 05, 2007	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 16, 1428

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LAHORE, April 4: Former Test cricketer and Pakistan team’s assistant coach, Mushtaq Ahmed became the first official of the World Cup squad to appear before the three-member performance evaluation committee on Wednesday.

The committee, headed by former Test cricketer Ijaz Butt with Test cricketers Saleem Altaf and Salahuddin Sallu as members, began its probe work on Wednesday by holding first formal meeting at the board's headquarters in Lahore.

Mushtaq, a former Test leg-spinner, replied to several questions during the hour-long session with the committee. The diminutive player looked in a relaxed mood and was candid about his views.

Later, an official statement of the committee was issued stating that Mushtaq himself made a request that he be called first since he has to leave for England in a couple of days. "Mushtaq was asked about the reasons of the debacle in the West Indies where Pakistan team failed to reach the Super Eights stage of the World Cup.

It was a fruitful and useful discussion during which Mushtaq was asked various questions and he gave his candid views about the defeat. The next meeting of the committee will be held on Thursday," said the statement.

Former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, who led Pakistan in the World Cup, and a few other mebers of the squad are set to appear before the committee on Thursday.

The committee has to complete its report within the next 30-days. Pakistan made a shocking exit from the first round of the mega event in the Caribbeans, losing successive games to hosts West Indies and minnows Ireland.