Alam's exclusion from Pak's ODI squad part of 'larger plan' to get Malik, Akmal in for WC

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A highly placed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official has revealed that excluding Fawad Alam from Pakistan's ODI squad for the ongoing series against New Zealand, which might have come as a shock for many, was part of a larger plan to get Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal back in the team for the World Cup.

The anonymous PCB official revealed that the team management, two individuals in particular, had been pushing for the selection of Malik and Kamran despite the players being out-of-favour with the selectors for a while now.

Both players have been included in Pakistan's 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup, The Dawn reported.

The official said that he is deeply frustrated at the way personal preference is being given priority over merit, adding that it was quite evident with the way Alam was dealt with, question what is the point of sending their in-form player Alam on an 'A' tour when an ODI series is taking place.

The left-handed middle-order batsman has been performing consistently on the international stage since his comeback earlier this year. His omission was most surprising considering the comments of the PCB chief Shahryar Khan during Pakistan's series against Sri Lanka in September.

Khan had said that there is no shortage of courage and fighting spirit in Alam who has repeatedly done wonderfully in pressure situations since his comeback, adding that this is why he rates Alam very highly as a fighting cricketer.

But according to the PCB official, more than how Alam was dealt with, it was baffling how 'eagerly' the team management was backing two players who have not played ODIs for over a year.

The official said that Malik and Kamran have not played for a while now, adding that in fact, with Sarfraz's recent performances there is no room for another keeper, but claimed that they want Kamran as a third opener in the World Cup squad.

The official also said that Malik and Kamran shockingly made it to the 30-man squad, asking not to be surprised if they end up flying to Australia and New Zealand.

The ICC World Cup commences in Australia and New Zealand on February 14, with Pakistan facing arch-rival India in their first Group B game a day later at Adelaide.