Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net Former Pakistan middle order batsman and selector Basit Ali has launched a scathing attack on what he terms the mishandling of the Danish Kaneria and Shoaib Malik "non selection situation".

by Saj Sadiq

14 January 2011

Former Pakistan middle order batsman and selector Basit Ali has launched a scathing attack on what he terms the mishandling of the Danish Kaneria and Shoaib Malik "non selection situation".

Basit who was a member of the selection committee that picked the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup winning squad is of the opinion that the Pakistan Cricket Board should either announce what the players are guilty of or if the Board are not prepared to come clean, then they should allow both players to return to international cricket.

"Why are the PCB not clarifying the situation? Instead we have a scenario where the players do not know the full reasons why they have not been selected and the Board are not helping in this matter."

Malik and Kaneria both met the PCB Integrity Committee prior to the announcement of the 30 probables for the World Cup, but neither player was cleared for selection, leading to the all rounder and leg spinner both expressing dissatisfaction and confusion.

Basit feels that the silence from the PCB is not helping matters and the Board should have handled the matter with more clarity.

"When the spot fixing allegations were made against Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, the Board stopped the players from using any PCB facilities, stopped them from playing domestic cricket and cancelled their central contracts. So what is different now, if Malik and Kaneria have wronged, then why are they being allowed to play in domestic cricket, why are they still on central contracts and why are they being allowed to use PCB facilities. What is so different this time around?"

Ali added that there has to be some sort of consistency from the Board regarding all players and there shouldn't be one rule for one, and another rule for other players.

"If Malik and Kaneria are not in the clear, then why just stay silent, the Board should confirm what Malik and Kaneria have not been cleared over, instead of this silence which only just adds to the speculation. If the Board are not prepared to explain what the situation is with both players, then they should allow both players to be made available for selection, as this standoff between the players and Board is certainly not helping Pakistan cricket at all. There has to be consistency on these matters."

Malik and Kaneria are currently featuring for PIA and Habib Bank respectively in the ongoing Quaid E Azam Trophy final. Malik recently expressed his discontent at not being given a reason for his non clearance and the PCB have also recently refused to meet Kaneria's lawyer who was looking for some clarification on the matter.

Both players are keen for clearance from the Integrity Committee, not only to resume their international careers, but also the issue affects them not receiving NOCs from the PCB for domestic competitions outside Pakistan.