JEDDAH, 14 July — The Pakistan cricket team have world class players in Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul Haq and Younis Khan, and they are fully capable of winning the 2003 Cricket World Cup, said Salahuddin Ahmad alias Sallu, Pakistan’s former chief selector.
Sallu, the longest-serving ex-national selector, was in the Kingdom to perform Umrah and pray at the Prophet’s Mosque.
Talking to Arab News, Sallu said the inclusion of Saeed Anwar had strengthened Pakistan’s team. “They now have a potent opening pair in Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi. Both are world class players besides being record-holders. Saeed Anwar’s 194 ODI runs against India in Madras and Shahid Afridi’s 100 off 37 balls against Sri Lanka in Kenya are proof of their potential.”
Sallu felt Pakistan should recall off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and all-rounder Abdur Razzaq. “They will make a big difference to the team,” he added. “Their presence will boost Pakistan’s chances of beating any team in the world... The duo can prove to be a winning combination,” Sallu said.
On Wasim Akram’s performance in recent past, Sallu said: “He is one of the greatest bowlers in the world who has the ability to turn the match in his country’s favor. Nobody should underestimate him.”
On Moin Khan’s exclusion from the team, Sallu said he should be called for camp duty. “He is a world class wicketkeeper and can be very useful as second choice,” he said.
About Danish Kaneria, Sallu said, “Pakistan team is very lucky to have Kaneria in their midst. He is a right-arm leg-spinner, and after Iqbal Qasim Pakistan badly needed a bowler like Kaneria.”
When asked about his dream team among the present lot of Pakistan players, Sallu said: “If I am given a chance to select a dream team, it will include Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir, Inzamam-ul Haq, Yousuf Youhanna, Younis Khan, Abdur Razzaq, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Danish Kaneria and Muhammad Sami.”
Regarding Shoaib’s bowling action, Sallu lauded the efforts of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Gen. Tauqir Zia, whose continuous support brought Shoaib back on the international scene.
“Shoaib would have been sidelined if Zia had not come out in his support,” he said.
“Shoaib is a front-line bowler in Pakistan’s attack. Many veteran cricketers including Javed Miandad have come out in support of Shoaib.... They found nothing wrong in his bowling action,” Sallu pointed out.
Sallu also commended Zia’s initiative in upgrading cricket at grassroot level by opening cricket academies. The academies are under the supervision of top class cricketers such as Hanif Mohammad and Zaheer Abbas.
On the question of hiring a foreign coach, Sallu said: “We should benefit from the experience of Javed Miandad and Zaheer Abbas... Why do we need foreign coaches when we have such excellent players.”
Sallu, the affable former off-spinner, has become the national selector for the eighth time, a feat which probably deserves a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
He is well liked in the cricket circles for his forthrightness, dedication and integrity. He has a shrewd cricketing brain and has been associated with the game in various capacities for over three decades. Having made his Test debut at the age of 18 against New Zealand in 1964, he went on to play five Tests.
Sallu is a senior officer with the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines. His ready wit and sense of humor have made him universally popular.
