- Coach Mike Hesson and Aqib Javed weighed in on selection questions: sources.
- Dar complains that he selected 20 players, but the captain and coach chose 15 wrongly.
- Captain Salman Agha showed no resistance when it came to selection, claims Dar
KARACHI: Following Pakistan’s worst performance in the Super Four stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the team’s exit from the event, a member of the national selection committee, Aleem Dar, has decided to resign.
According to highly reliable sources, the ICC elite panel adjudicator has resigned due to extraordinary interference in selection matters by head coach Mike Hesson and silence of influential selection committee member Aaqib Javed.
Aleem Dar complains that the selectors had announced Pakistan’s top 20 players but then the captain and coach picked the wrong 15, followed by incorrect selections in the playing XI. As a result, the selectors are just facing criticism.
During the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Aleem Dar had expressed reservations over the inclusion of former captain Babar Azam and all-rounder Shadab Khan in the team despite their lack of performances. However, captain Salman Ali Agha, who according to Aleem Dar did not even deserve a place in the team as captain along with Aaqib Javed, showed no resistance. Coach Mike Hesson openly had the final say in selection matters.
Aleem Dar had also proposed that experienced wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan should be played at number six instead of wicketkeeper Usman Khan. His stance was that if Shadab and Babar could make the team despite their underperformance, then Mohammad Rizwan also deserved another opportunity.
In the current circumstances, Aleem Dar’s resignation is considered a decision of principle. He believes that Allah has given him great respect through cricket and he does not wish to work like a puppet; so it is better that he withdraws.
