On Tuesday, the selectors will meet to have an initial look at the World Cup probables and on Wednesday, they will be giving it a final shape. -Photo by AFP

LAHORE: The national cricket selection committee is gearing up for a two-day meeting at the Gaddafi Stadium to finalise 30 probables for the next year’s World Cup which will jointly be hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from Feb 19 to April 2.

The selectors are also likely to finalise the team for the six-match ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled for Jan 2011.

On Tuesday, the selectors will meet to have an initial look at the World Cup probables and on Wednesday, they will be giving it a final shape.

A good number of seasoned cricketers are not available for the national team selection for various reasons. While Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir are currently facing provisional suspension from the International Cricket Council (ICC) over a spot-fixing scandal, others like Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik are being sidelined for reasons best known to the PCB high-ups.

The PCB has not given any official statement on the status of the two seasoned players despite their fine performances in the domestic season.

Prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who is on the injury list these days, may be considered among the probables for the mega event but only after getting a clearance on his fitness.

The PCB and the other cricket boards of the world are to send the respective lists of World Cup probables till Dec 19. The final squad of 15 is to be announced by Jan 19, exactly one month before start of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, chief selector Mohsin Khan who has reached Lahore, said that there would be no compromise over fitness and form during the selection of the probables.

He added that the selectors may also discuss the team for the New Zealand one-day series.

Commenting on Mohammad Yousuf’s status, Mohsin said though he was an experienced player, he required a clearance on his fitness from the PCB.

Speaking about Shahid Afridi’s decision to open the innings in New Zealand and possibility of using Umar Akmal as a full-time wicket-keeper for the three-Twenty20 series against the Kiwis, he said it looked a wise one and hopefully would deliver.