Shoaib and Danish Kernia axed from Pak World Cup squad

LAHORE, Jan 4 (APP)- The career of former Pakistan cricket captain, Shoaib Malik appeared to meet a premature end when he alongwith spinner Danish Kaneria was axed from Pakistan’s thirty member probables squad named here on Tuesday for next Month’s World Cup. It seemed that both of them failed to satisfy the Pakistan Cricket Board’s integrity committee, contrary to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal who got the nod of selectors.
PCB selection committee finalised the list of probables one day ahead of the extended deadline set by Games Ruling Body, the ICC to submit the names.
The squad has veteran reliable batsman, Muhammad Yousaf who has been re-called after missing out Pak series against South Africa in UAE owing to injury problems.
The trio of Shoaib, Kamran and Kaneria were facing an inquiry before the integrity committee, reportedly on their any hand in any match-fixing scams.
“ The names of Shoaib and Kaneria were not cleared by ICC therefore PCB followed their instructions and did not include them in the list of probables whereas Kamran was cleared to resume his international career “,said souces in PCB while talking to APP here.
The integrity committee took almost 20 days to announce the probables after holding different session in which all the three tainted players were interrogated about their property.
“ One thing was very obvious that both of the could not satisfy the integrity committee whose proceedings of the case were conducted secretly,” added the sources.
However,no PCB official was ready to speak on the decision about the exclusion of these players.
Also missing from the list are opener Imran Farhat and Fawad Alam.
A PCB statement said: “ The National Selection Committee met today at Gaddafi Stadium and finalised for World Cup 2011.  after trhough deliberations.
The players are,
(Opening Batsmen) Muhammad Hafeez,Ahmed Shahzad,Taufique Umer, Nasir Jamshed.
(Middle Order Batsmen), Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Misbah ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Naveed Yasin.
(Wicket Keepers) Kamran Akmal,Sarfraz Ahmed,Salman Ahmed.
(All Rounders) Shahid Afridi,Abdul Razzaq,Yasir Arafat,Rana Naveed.
(Spin Bowlers) Abdul Rehman,Saeed Ajmal,Yasir Shah ,Zulfiqar Babar.
(Fast Bowlers),Shoaib Akhtar,Umar Gul,Wahab Riaz ,Sohail Tanveer,Tanvir Ahmed,Junaid Khan,Aizaz Cheema ,Asad Ali.
However, commenting on the selection,Chairman National Selection Committee,Mohsin Khan said:  “ We are satisfied that we have selected the best squad from amongst the available players. The Selection Committee met on multiple occasions and only then decided on the names. I request the whole nation to back the selected players who need all the encouragement to win the World Cup”.
Commenting on the media reports regarding “ clearance” of certain players, Chairman PCB,Ijaz Butt said: “ There is a lot of speculation in the media regarding clearance or otherwise of players by Integrity Committee of PCB.
The Integrity Committee has given its views on some players to the Selection Committee which has taken into consideration that input and has selected the 30 players for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011”.
The squad for the New Zealand ODI series will be announced next week.  – App