Series against West Indies important: Chairman PCB

LAHORE—Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board, Dr Naseem Ashraf has termed the coming home series against West Indies “important “ to achieve the objective of building a team for the next year World Cup.
He was addressing a press conference here on Wednesday at Gadaffi stadium after unveiling the logo of Pak-West Indies series which has been titled as Bank Alfalah Cup.Also present were Shakil Sadiq, Executive Incharge,Bank Alfalah,Dr Ahsan Malik, Director Marketing and Communication PCB.
The PCB Chief said, the coming series has its own significance to evaluate players for their selection in the team for the Cup.
“ West Indies is a talented side which is showing good results in the ICC Champions Trophy and it will be an interesting event “,he said.
Dr Naseem Ashraf said, he foresees close contest in the coming event in which world’s two best teams will face off.
He said Pakistan team is charged up for taking on a tough challenge and it is united to stamp its supremacy in the series.
“ I am confident that it (team) will leave behind what happened in the past (defeat in ICC champions Trophy) and its past showing was a lesson learner for it which will help it blending into a fighting unit to display its best “,he said.
The PCB Chief said it was unfortunate that the team owing to certain reasons could not put up a good show in the Champions Trophy.
He said the series against West Indies will help in finalising a squad for the World Cup and it (contest) will be a part of teams preparations for the Cup.
“ It is going to be an exciting event and we look forward to it “,he said.
Dr Naseem Asrhaf said he had meetings with captain Inzamam ul Haq, coach Bob Woolmer and chairman selection committee ,Wasim Bari to discuss the coming series and Pakistan’s prospects in it.
“ I have told them that there would be no compromise on physical fitness and fielding as both of them are equally important like batting and bowling and players lacking in them may not be considered no matter how experienced they are “,he observed.
The PCB Chief said a win against West Indies will help in boosting the morale of the team bringing a positive impact for its showing in the World Cup.
“ We will be following a policy and strategy to stability in the team to enhance its performance which is only possible when all the team members are in prime form and fitness “,he said.
Answering a question, he said, the process of audit and the transparency to evaluate the performance the Board’s employees is in progress and hopefully it will be completed by January next year after which changes, if needed, would be made in case certain individuals currently serving the Board do not have the necessary qualification and education for their respective jobs.
He said he has no information regarding the so far investigations conducted by the PCB’s tribunal into the allegations of using stamina enhancing drugs by the suspended bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Muhammad Asif.
“ It is an independent tribunal which is in process of finalising its recommendations which will be made public afterward “,he said.

—Agencies