PCB Selector dashes hopes for Azhar Mahmood, who wishes to represent Pakistan in Sri Lanka Tour.
Following Azhar Mahmood’s interest in representing Pakistan on its Sri Lanka tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have said that they are no longer judging players based on their appearances in domestic cricket.
Mahmood expressed his interest to join the team on its 46-day tour in an interview.
However, selector Saleem Jaffar told PakPassion.net that appearing in televised games is second to none in the selection criteria.
“Past international performances and those in domestic competitions of other countries aren’t really what the selectors are basing their judgment of players upon,” he told the online publication.
Chances of Mahmood’s comeback to the international stage after his hiatus have been reported as slim, despite his excellent performance in the Twenty20 around the world.
But it wasn’t all sad news for the 37-year-old, for Jaffar said that he fitted the bill when it came to attitude and level of fitness and that age would not be an issue.
However, Mahmood has not appeared in cricketing since 2012, which the selector believes is a better barometer for measuring the ability to impress in international cricket.
He said, “I give you the example of Yasir Arafat, he has played cricket around the world but has always ensured that if he was fully fit, he would play in every domestic competition in Pakistan. You simply cannot pick and choose which competitions you want to play in back home and when you feel like it.”
