No discord between team management and selection committee: Misbah

Pakistan’s Head Coach Misbahul Haq has said that the selection committee and team management are on the same page with regards to selection affairs ahead of the team’s departure for Africa tour.

While speaking during a virtual press conference, Misbah said that decisions are taken unanimously.

“I had to say this is a Pakistan team because such things appear in the media and an impression is created that there is discord among team management and selectors over selection matters. But I say everything is done collectively,” said Misbah.

The former Pakistan captain also opened up on the selection of opener Sharjeel Khan despite fitness concerns. He also stated that there is no law yet that prevents tainted cricketers from returning to the national side.

“He [Sharjeel] has to work hard and meet the required fitness standards of the team. He has to reach a certain level where there are no compromises,” he said. “We will see how he progresses and improves his fitness without damaging his skill levels.”

“I don't know why Muhammad Asif or Salman Butt were not selected after completing their bans but what I know is that until there is a law that bars us from selecting a player after he has served any ban we can't keep anyone out,” he added.

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Misbah also reiterated that there is no change in the fitness standards of the team.

“We have had a detailed discussion on the fitness issue and we are trying to simplify the process for players by introducing parameters for players on which there will be no compromise. But also relate it to performances on the ground by the players. We are giving targets to players depending on their requirements,” he said.

“We are not reducing the fitness benchmarks of the team. We are trying to relate it to match and ground fitness. It is not that we will reduce the benchmark of Yoyo tests from 18 to 15 marks,” he concluded.