Thaindian News

Lahore, May 23 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt has said that the Board is still to decide on the ODI captaincy and Shahid Afridi is not the automatic choice to lead the national side in next month’s Asia Cup.

Afridi, current Twenty20 captain, was being tipped to lead Pakistan in the June 15-25 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, but Ijaz said a decision would be taken on May 25.

“We will announce the captain for the Asia Cup on May 25 after a meeting of the selection committee. Until now we have not decided or discussed any names as yet for the captaincy,” the Daily Times quoted Ijaz, as saying.

He said the captaincy issue would be decided after taking into account report of the manager and coach on the performance of the team in the recent Twenty20 World Cup.

Ijaz said the selectors had been told to finalise a list of 30 players for the Asia Cup and a full tour of England this summer.

Sources said the 30 players would be asked to attend a conditioning camp before the final squads are announced for the Asia Cup and England tour.

Chief selector Mohsin Khan also made it clear that nothing has been decided as yet on the captaincy or selection of players.

“We will only meet on May 25 with the Board chairman to take these decisions,” he said.

The governing board of the PCB has also been called for a meeting on May 23 in which the performance of team in the Twenty20 World Cup and other issues would be discussed. (ANI)