New chief selector to make 'sweeping changes' to Pak system

Lahore, Nov 21 (UNI) Newly appointed chief selector Abdul Qadir said he is planning to bring sweeping changes in the system with which national teams are selected in Pakistan.

PCB chief Izaz Butt yesterday named former Test leg-spinner Qadir as the new chairman of selectors. Qadir sounded pleased to be chosen for the job.

''It's an honour for me to be selected for this important job,'' Qadir told 'The News'.

''I see it as a challenge and want to introduce a 'justice-based' selection policy that gives a fair chance to each and every first-class cricketer, with a good enough showing in domestic events,'' he stressed.

Qadir, who played 67 Tests, taking 236 wickets and 132 scalps from 104 One-day Internationals, said once he takes over as chief selector, he would make a world of a changes to the selection procedure.

''I've never liked the way (national) teams were selected in the past,'' he said. ''There were always question marks on some selections. But I will have an open policy. We will select a total of 44 players from first-class and junior cricket and hold trial matches before selecting the team.'' Qadir made it clear that he doesn't like holding camps and said the idea is to select 18 batsmen including three or four wicket-keepers, nine fast bowlers, nine spinners from first-class cricket on the basis of their performances.

Eight players from the Under-19 event will also be picked and then the pool of players will compete in a series of trial matches.

''That way we will also be able to prepare a solid second string,'' he said.

Qadir's first task would be to select a strong squad for the home series against India scheduled to get underway early next year. ''We will try our best to form a strong squad from the available material,'' he said.

Speaking on controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, Qadir said he believes the pacer is an asset for Pakistan cricket. ''Shoaib is a match-winning bowler and can play for Pakistan as long as he keeps himself fit,'' he added.

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