KARACHI, Aug 4: Despite Pakistan's disastrous World Cup campaign in southern Africa last year, the squad picked for the mega event was the best available based on form and fitness prior to the start of the competition, according to the chairman of selectors Wasim Bari.

Bari, who also headed the selection committee that picked the World Cup squad, made the observation while answering a question posed to him by the Senate's Standing Committee on Sports last month in Islamabad.

The former Test wicket-keeper and captain has written to the committee that the main reason behind Pakistan's failure to progress beyond the first phase of the World Cup was poor selection policy and lack of planning on part of team management.

"The team selected at the time was the best possible. Majority of the cricket experts unanimously agreed with our selections," Bari says in a statement submitted to the Senate committee a couple of days ago.

A copy of the document was procured by Dawn on Wednesday. Responding to another question, Bari writes that during his three terms as chief selector, Pakistan have fared well.

In the first phase, from September 1998 to June 1999, Pakistan won a Test against India on their soil, clinched the Asian Test Championship and then reached the final of the World Cup in England. Pakistan had a success percentage of 60.60 in One-day Internationals (ODIs).

In the second phase, covering the period from March 2000 to March 2003, Pakistan won 55 out of 93 ODIs while winning 12 of 28 Tests compared to 35 losses in ODIs and 10 in Tests respectively. Pakistan also won their solitary Asia Cup title during this period (2000 in Bangladesh) and defeated Australia in a three-match ODI series Down Under.

Bari was also asked whether he was involved in the selection of Junaid Zia, son of Lt Gen Tauqir Zia during the latter's tenure as the PCB chairman. It was Aamir Sohail, the chief selector at the time who picked Junaid in the senior squad for the Bangladesh series last September, Bari answered.

Bari, who was reappointed for a third term in February this year, explained the selection process: "The team selection is done by our committee based on current form, fitness and temperament as well as skill of the player in question.

We also take into consideration the opposing team, the playing conditions. We provide the captain and coach the right team balance. Our job is to pick a squad of 14 or more, as required, for a series or a tour. The final XI is picked by the coach and the captain."

Bari further says that the selectors try to watch as many domestic matches as possible. "A selector is nominated to witness a particular match when we feel it is required. However, it is impossible for us to cover all matches. But we have selectors from different provinces who are assigned to watching matches in their respective areas."

To another query as to how do the selectors spot talent from regions other than the major cities, such as Karachi and Lahore, the chief selector writes: "We keep in contact with all the coaches of the regional academies, coaches attached with all first-class teams as well as match referees throughout so that we don't miss talented players."

When asked did he find time for team selection since he was a full-time PIA employee, Bari says: "Our employers are generous enough to provide maximum facilities in the performance of duty for a national cause. To serve Pakistan has always been an honour for us."