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Aamir Sohail to continue as captain, says Majid

By Our Sports Reporter
13 November 1998



KARACHI, Nov 12: Pakistan's struggling captain Aamir Sohail has been given another chance, probably his last, to keep the job for the home series against Zimbabwe.

The chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Majid Khan, said the executive council had appointed Sohail as captain for the home season.

``The home season includes the series against Zimbabwe as well,'' Majid said from Lahore.

He denied speculations that Sohail was about to be axed.

``The executive council has the powers to keep or remove a captain. No council meeting has been summoned so far.

``If the meeting is called now, it would be time when Zimbabwe start their tour with a one-day international on Nov 20. Don't forget that the meeting can be summoned on 10 days' notice,'' explained Majid.

Sohail faces a barrage of criticism after losing the Test series to Australia followed by the Aussie white-wash in the one-day series in which the home team allowed the tourists score 324 in the first match and then failed to defend 315 in the final.

Majid said the team didn't require any pep talk from him. ``They have a reputed cricketer as their coach as well as a competent selection committee.''

The PCB chief executive said no disciplinary action has so far been initiated against opener Salim Elahi who pulled out from the one-day team without citing any reason.

According to insiders, Elahi failed to bear the tense atmosphere a the team meeting after the first match and later packed up his luggage and checked-out from the hotel.

``The selectors say they dropped Salim Elahi. I don't know what actually happened,'' Majid said.

About the forthcoming Indian tour, Majid said his board was waiting for the confirmation about the venues of the three Tests and five one-day internationals.

``If the blind cricket team can go there, why can't we,'' he said, adding: ``We are not under any pressure because the Indian authorities have promised full security for the players.''


Source: Dawn
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