Pakistan sacks two selectors

Pakistan has sacked two selectors in a total review of its cricket set-up, but officials on Monday said the changes had nothing to do with the recent home series loss to England.

"The changes are usual and were in the offing for quite some time and must not be linked with the home series defeat against England," Pakistan Cricket Board director of operations Brigadier Munawwar Rana said.

"The change is no reflection of the selection committee's weaknesses or faults in the last series but it was under consideration for some time."

Pakistan lost the three-Test series 1-0 to England, their fourth successive home series defeat.

Former Test players Iqbal Qasim and Ehteshamuddin were replaced as selectors by Sikander Bakht and Shafiq Ahmed.

Chief selector Wasim Bari was retained.

Ehteshamuddin and Qasim reportedly objected to coach Javed Miandad's interference in the selection process during the England series and threatened walk out.

Cricket manager Brigadier Khawaja Mohammad Nasir was replaced by former first-class player Faqir Aizazuddin.

Nasir sparked a South Asian furore in July when he said all bookies are Indian and India is the den of match-fixing.

"It's a total review but not a total revamp, changes should be made after one or two years and these are routine changes," Rana said.

He dismissed rumours that Moin Khan's captaincy is also under question. "Khan is our captain for the next five months and his job is not on the line," he said.

Khan faced stinging criticism for his lack of imagination and poor performance behind the wicket during the England series, with some pundits calling for his replacement by veteran pace bowler Waqar Younis.

Pakistan has hired former England opener Geoff Boycott on a two-week contract worth 30,000 pounds (44,700 dollars) to coach young players at the national cricket academy.

West Indian Michael Holding and South African Pat Symcox are also under consideration as full time coaches.

Pakistan will tour New Zealand from next month for five one-dayers and three Tests, followed by the tri-nation series in Sharjah in April.

They will then play a two-Test series in England and a tri-nation series also involving world champions Australia.

Mail Cricket Editor