PCB mulls separate Test, ODI squads to combat 'too much cricket'

Lahore, July 12 (UNI) Feeling the pinch of ''non-stop cricket,'' the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling having separate squads for Tests and one-dayers to prevent players from burnout and injuries.

Pakistan takes on England in the first Test at Lord's tomorrow with key players like speedster Shoaib Akhtar, medium pacers Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Mohammad Asif nursing injuries.

''These boys have been virtually playing non-stop cricket,'' PCB chief Shaharyar Khan was quoted as saying by 'The News'.

''To me that is the basic reason behind their fitness problems.

When they are not playing Tests, they are figuring in one-day matches and when they are not playing for Pakistan then some of them are playing for county teams. It is simply too much cricket,'' the PCB chief said.

As the International Cricket Council (ICC) is not ready to make any concessions in its controversial and demanding Future Tours Programme, Shaharyar said Pakistan might have to follow in Australia's footsteps and start having separate teams for the Tests and one-dayers to reduce pressure on their players.

''It is an option that has come under consideration because of these latest injuries,'' he said and added that if Pakistan decided against having separate squad for Tests and one-dayers then they would certainly implement a strict rotation policy.

''We would rest two or three of our players each time Pakistan play in a Test series or an international tournament. That would give the players an opportunity to avoid any burnout,'' Mr Khan said.

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