Razzaq won’t quit despite latest snub

LAHORE: Snubbed Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and allrounder Abdul Razzaq Friday expressed disappointment at being continuously left out of the national team, asking selectors for their reasons.

Pakistan Thursday announced three separate squads for next month’s tour of Sri Lanka, but Kamran and Razzaq were not selected in any of the squads.

Kamran said he was unaware of the reasons for his continuous omission.

“I don’t know why the selectors did not select me once again,” Kamran told reporters.

“I am doing well at the domestic level and am fit and want to play for my country but I don’t know why I am continuously left out of the team.”

The 30-year-old keeper-batsman has not played for Pakistan since the World Cup 2011 semi-final against arch-rivals India in March.

Kamran, who was investigated over fixing allegations, claimed he had been cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) integrity committee.

“I am cleared by the PCB integrity committee and if I am at fault in any way then ban me for good,” a visibly upset Kamran said.

“This is not fair to level allegations against me because I have satisfied everyone, including the International Cricket Council (ICC).”

PCB formed an integrity committee headed by a retired judge to check the assets of players on the directives of the ICC in October 2010.

That came two months after the spot-fixing scandal in England which ended in lengthy bans on three Pakistani players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

Kamran has so far played 53 Tests, 137 one-day and 38 Twenty20 for Pakistan.

Allrounder Razzaq also criticised selection for the Sri Lanka tour.

“I am very sad at not being selected,” said Razzaq, 32.

“I am fit and have recently played in the domestic events but its surprising how the selectors keep ignoring me.”

Razzaq has not been selected since being sent home from United Arab Emirates in November last year following a shoulder injury against Sri Lanka.

He has so far played 46 Tests, 265 one-day and 26 Twenty20 internationals.

Razzaq denied he was retiring from international cricket.

“I have no plans to retire from international cricket as I believe I can still play for Pakistan. I have a contract with Leicestershire in English season so I will go there and play with a hope that my performance will convince the national selectors,” said Razzaq.