‘PCB’s wise decisions made the difference’

ISLAMABAD: Former chief selector Saluhddin Sallu has attributed Pakistan’s recent Test successes to “some wise decisions taken by the board” including that of not issuing show-cause notice to Younis Khan for his outburst on getting axed from one-day squad against Australia.

Talking to ‘The News’, Sallu said that Shaharyar Khan’s decision to give Younis category A after selectors ranked him in B category and Najam Sethi’s announcement to appoint Misbah-ul Haq as one-day captain till the World Cup went a long way in strengthening the team.

“The performance by the Pakistan team in the Test series against Australia is a result of some wise decisions taken by the PCB bosses.”

Sallu said he was excited to see Pakistan’s performances in the last three Tests. “The moment Younis Khan was inducted in Test squad he never looked behind and stroked his way into history books by breaking one record after another,” he said.

He praised Misbah’s captaincy prowess saying that by becoming the most successful Test captain in Pakistan history he had proved his critics wrong.

“He has shown exemplary leadership qualities by beating Australia fair and square and later beating New Zealand in the first Test.”

Sallu suggested that the tour selection committee should have faith in all the youngsters for the series who have performed and showed guts against powerful Australia.

“The team has to make one forced change and that is to induct an opener in place of injured Ahmad Shahzad. My question is: why look back? Why not include Shan Masood in place of Ahmad. Taufiq Umar has already passed his prime. We would not get anything by including tried and tested players. Youngsters have performed well in the series and more youngsters should be included.”

Source The News