Aamer Sohail hits out at Pakistan Board over omission
AFP
14 January 1999
KARACHI, Jan 14 (AFP) - Former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail Thursday
expressed his dismay at being axed from the India-bound Pakistan squad
and lashed out at cricket board officials.
``I am really disappointed at being dropped because I wanted to play a
Test against India before retiring but I think they don't need me
anymore,'' Aamer told AFP from his Lahore residence.
The 32-year-old ex-captain who led Pakistan in the last home season
during which Pakistan lost back to back home series against Australia
and Zimbabwe walked out of the team after a row with a selector before
the second Test against Zimbabwe in Lahore.
Chief selector Wasim Bari said Aamer did not attend the training camp
so his name was not considered.
Pakistan Cricket Board said Aamer sent a message via the Internet
informing the board he was not fit to go on the tour.
``I have never sent any message and nobody asked me about my fitness,''
Aamer retorted. ``I had a chest infection but that was no reason to
drop me,'' he said claiming the selectors had grudge against him.
``In the past many players were selected without attending the camp but
in my case they found a pretext to drop me,'' he said.
``In the last season the selectors asked Saeed Anwer and Inzamam-ul-Haq
about their fitness but nobody asked me, it is their dual standard.''
Aamer refused to accept his career was over.
``I will play in the domestic season and will fight to no limits to
regain my place in the team,'' he vowed.
He denied he avoided the camp as he did not want to play with players
who he has accused of involvement in match fixing and betting.
``The case is in the court and I have nothing against anyone. I have
given evidence against some players. It is up to the court to decide,''
he said.
About his walk out from the team in the Lahore Test last December he
said: ``I was seriously ill and that was why I did not play in the
second Test against Zimbabwe but it did not mean that I should be
replaced as captain.''
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