From rxpgnews.com
Selection, fitness problems led to defeat: Intikhab
By IANS,
Apr 10, 2007 - 2:47:22 PM
Lahore, April 10 - Former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam has blamed wrong selection, lack of discipline and fitness problems for the team's debacle in the World Cup, the media reported Tuesday.
'The team selection was not good and it lacked discipline. Besides some team members had fitness problems as well. The team went into the World Cup without any plan and strategy,' Intikhab was quoted as saying by The News.
The former Pakistan captain was speaking after he recorded his statement before the World Cup Performance Evaluation Committee - Monday.
Besides Intikhab, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and former Test cricketer Shafqat Rana also recorded their statements.
Shying away from commenting on media manager Pervaiz Mir's tirade against the team regarding over-indulgence in religious activities, Intikhab said only team manager Talat Ali could verify the statement.
Meanwhile, Kamran dispelled the impression that he was forced by anyone for religious preaching during his three to four years' association with the team.
Kamran said his team, in spite of extraordinary preparations, unfortunately failed to perform well in the World Cup.
'We were well prepared for the World Cup but sadly things turned bad to worse from the beginning for us in the mega event,' he told reporters after a hearing before the Pakistan Cricket Board - performance evaluation committee which is probing into the team's shocking early exit from the World Cup.
He strongly denied that the team members were involved in religious activities at the cost of their cricket affairs.
'We followed routine activities - and there is no truth that we set aside our cricket responsibilities while laying special emphasis on religious activities,' he added.
Kamran said he has no information or knowledge of match fixing and termed all such allegations 'rubbish'.
'I have no idea why some senior cricketers are levelling such allegations,' he said.
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