May 21, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 15, 1429

LAHORE, May 20: The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) is creating a tricky situation for Pakistan cricket selectors seeking their players’ fitness levels for naming the national squad for the forthcoming triangular tournament in Bangladesh.

Around 15 Pakistan players are currently featuring in the Twenty20 mega event.

But sources said the national selection committee headed by Salahuddin Ahmed has no idea about the physical fitness of the players currently playing in India so that they can name the squad for the tri-series set to begin on June 8.

The selectors are awaiting feedbacks over the players’ fitness from national coach Geoff Lawson and captain Shoaib Malik, said the sources.

However, as Pakistan players are representing different teams in the IPL, it is difficult to confirm the fitness of them all.

Sources further said that soon after receiving the captain and coach’s response, the selectors will announce the team for the tri-series, also involving India and Bangladesh, as there is no chance to hold a training camp, because the cricketers will be involved in the league till June 1.

A recent hand injury to Mohammad Asif in the IPL can cause a headache for the selectors in finalising a strong team as Shoaib Akhtar is almost out of contention, pleading his case before the Appellate Tribunal against a five-year ban.