IPL performances not to influence selection

Pakistan selectors will not consider IPL performances while naming the squad for the triangular series in Bangladesh, according to the chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed.

"We are not going to consider the players' showing in the IPL," Ahmed told the News. "We believe that Twenty20 is a different ball-game and you can't compare it to proper one-day internationals where you have to play 50-over games.

Several Pakistan cricketers are playing in the IPL tournament with mixed results. While Sohail Tanvir has been a star for his team Rajasthan Royals, the likes of Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq have not had significant outings. Mohammad Asif injured his hand and missed many matches while Shoaib Akhtar, who made a spectacular debut for Kolkata Knight Riders, too got injured and was unavailable for selection. Umar Gul had a decent run for Kolkata but Shahid Afridi was a flop for Deccan Chargers.

In contrast to the Pakistan's policy, India have hinted they will consider the performances in the IPL while selecting their ODI squad. But Ahmed said most of the Pakistani players didn't get a fair chance to play in the IPL. "The Indian players were given ample chances while most of our players mostly sat out of their teams games in the IPL.

"We are going to name our best players in the squad [for the Bangladesh series] because it will be happening so close to the Asia Cup," Ahmed said. Pakistan will be hosting the Asia Cup from June 24 to July 6.

Pakistan are to name their 15-man squad for the series involving India and Bangladesh next week but the selectors face one problem. They have to assess the fitness of the players before selecting them but some of the players like Malik, Asif, Tanvir, Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan will return home only after the IPL final on June 1. Ahmed said that the selection committee has asked the Pakistan board to provide it with complete details on the fitness of all leading players.