May 09, 2007	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 21, 1428

KARACHI, May 8: Opening batsman Imran Farhat was on Tuesday reported to the board chairman for misbehaving with the selection committee over his omission from the Abu Dhabi-bound squad.

Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that chief selector Salahuddin ‘Sallu’ had lodged a serious complaint against Imran for using harsh words with him during a telephonic conversation on Monday, questioning the selection committee’s judgement over team selection for the UAE event.

Sources told Dawn that the complaint had been handed over to the chairman's office in the PCB headquarters. “Imran, apparently, told the chief selector that he had given up a lucrative league contract in UK to join the Pakistan camp in Lahore and deserved to be included in the squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka commencing on May 18,” the sources said. “He also accused the selection committee of attempting to ruin his career.”

“Sallu was clearly upset after the call from the young opener and told him point blank that he was not answerable to either him (Imran) or his father-in-law, Mohammad Ilyas.”

On Monday, former Test cricketer Ilyas had also threatened the selectors over the axing of his son-in-law from the ODI contest and the selectors had brought his outburst to the notice of PCB chief, Dr Nasim Ashraf.

The sources, however, added that Imran called on the chief selector , later on Tuesday to offer his apologies for the misconduct and assured him of complete cooperation in future.

Imran was edged out by fellow openers Salman Butt and Imran Nazir for the Abu Dhabi event since their batting records in domestic and international games were found to be clearly better than the Lahore-born player.

PPI adds: Imran Farhat, when contacted, said that he never misbehaved with any member of the selection committee. “I just met the selectors and asked the reasons behind my exclusion but, they snubbed me and told me that selection committee is not answerable to any player.”

He added that his wife was admitted to hospital in critical condition two days ago and he left the camp for two days after consulting with the selectors. “I was told by the selectors that I am the strongest candidate to make a comeback and two days leave would not affect my selection, but now I have been dropped.”