KARACHI, April 18: Former Test pacer Saleem Jaffar said on Wednesday that his focus as member of the national selection committee will be merit, sincerity and honesty while picking the national squad.

“It’s a great honour as well as a challenge for me under the current crisis to pick almost a new-look team,” he said in an interview after he was named as a member of the first-ever paid selection committee, including ex-Test cricketer Salahuddin Ahmed (head) and Shafqat Rana, another former Test player, by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The 45-year-old Saleem said it was a tough task however added that he was looking forward to play his part in selecting the best possible team and to make it a winning combination.“Our players are far behind in mental toughness as compared to the other teams. This is the main factor in our poor performances,” he opined. “Our boys must learn to perform in pressure situations.”

“In the present scenario batting and spin bowling are our problem areas,” Saleem stated, promising, “Merit and fairness will be my main objectives.”

“We need good back-up from Pakistan A and under-19s for replacements in the senior side,” he noted. “Pakistan cricket is going through difficult times. It will be a transitory period.”

Commenting on lack of quality players in the domestic circuit, Saleem said the current players lack passion for the game, adding that they are more concerned about monetary gains which was main the cause of cricket’s decline in the country. —APP