Interim chief selector Mohammad Ilyas has been replaced by former left arm spinner Iqbal Qasim. Speaking with PakPassion.net, Qasim expressed his delight and spoke of his immediate plans after assuming the post of the chief selector.

by Saj Sadiq

1st March 2012

 

Interim chief selector Mohammad Ilyas has been replaced by former left arm spinner Iqbal Qasim with immediate effect.

Ilyas, the father in law of Pakistan opening batsman Imran Farhat was appointed as chief selector by the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf when previous incumbent Mohsin Hasan Khan was appointed as the interim Head Coach for series against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and England. However neither Ilyas or Mohsin will be retained in the role of chief selector, with 58 year old Qasim returning to a role he previously held until 2010. 

Speaking with PakPassion.net a delighted Qasim stated that "It was an honour to be given the responsibility of such an important and respected role in Pakistan cricket. I thank the Chairman and the Board members for giving me this responsibility once again and I promise that I will carry out the role to the best of my ability. I ask the well wishers of Pakistan cricket to pray for the team's success."

Qasim, presently the sports head of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), resigned from his previous stint as chief selector following a terrible tour of Australia in 2009-10. The team was whitewashed in both the Test and ODI series and all rounder Shahid Afridi was banned for biting the ball.

Qasim who played in 50 Tests and 15 One Day International from 1976 to 1988 confirmed that he would be travelling to Lahore as soon as possible to meet new Head Coach Dav Whatmore and to meet Misbah ul Haq, in order to discuss the make up of the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. 

"My first priority is to get a squad ready with Dav (Whatmore) and Misbah (ul Haq) that can mount a serious challenge for the Asia Cup title. I'll be heading for Lahore very soon and look forward to meeting Dav and Misbah so that we can finalise the squad for the Asia Cup. I would expect that the squad would be announced either tomorrow or Friday. I obviously haven't had much of a chance to think about the role due to the short notice, but I'm sure we can come up with a competitive squad for the Asia Cup."

"After the Asia Cup we will look at who are the players that we feel can perform well in international cricket. Let's analyse all the talent around the country, because there is a lot of talent that needs to be given a chance. Age is no barrier, young players or experienced players will all be given a fair chance. Let's take stock of what we have and utilise the resources in the best way possible."

Qasim also thanked Mohammad Ilyas for his hard work as chief selector and wished him well for the future. "Ilyas has done a good job. He worked hard and everyone at the PCB appreciates his efforts. 

The Asia Cup commences on 11th March when Pakistan take on Bangladesh in Mirpur.