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Today's Paper | April 30, 2024

Published 01 Jul, 2004 12:00am

Inzamam and Ehtesham at odds over naming team: Asia Cup

LAHORE, June 30: Skipper Inzamamul Haq and a national selector on Wednesday at odds over the naming of the Pakistan squad for the forthcoming Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. Ehteshamuddin, a national selector, told reporters that the Pakistan squad would be announced on July 7.

The former Test pacer said the selection committee wanted to give Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, enough time to assess all the 26 probables at the ongoing training camp at the Qadhafi Stadium.

Woolmer, who earlier this month replaced Javed Miandad, is expected to arrive on Friday to take up his new assignment. However, Inzamam said that he would advise the selectors to name the final squad as soon as possible to allow Woolmer the chance to train them properly.

"We have 14 batsmen in the camp and it's difficult to give each of them adequate time. It would make sense to select the final team and concentrate on it," he remarked. Asked if the selectors wanted to consult Woolmer before deciding the squad, Inzamam said that since the new coach was appointed for three years, he had a lot of time to see the boys.

He said that the PCB had already set up the camp for a short duration and entertaining the lot was just waste of the time. Commenting on the fitness level test conducted by new trainer Murray Stevenson, Inzamam said that it was a stressful exercise but worthy.

He noted that in the past, he did not go through such a tough physical test. The Pakistan captain refused to comment on the continuous absence of the controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, and said the PCB was in a better position to answer. However, Ehtesham added that Shoaib could be considered for selection if he reported at the camp by Thursday.

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