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Shoaib Malik had his one-year ban lifted last week and was already selected in the 35-man preliminary squad. - AP Photo
KARACHI: Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed believes the return of former captains Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik in the squad for Asia Cup and England tour will not affect the dressing-room environment.Both the former captains Younis and Malik faced disciplinary action from the PCB with the former still waiting to get his indefinite ban overturned.
Malik had his one-year ban lifted last week and was already selected in the 35-man preliminary squad for the two tours starting June 15 with the Asia Cup. The manager played down suggestions that presence of former skippers would fuel controversies among the players.
“I don’t foresee any issues due to presence of Younis and Malik in the upcoming tours and I am confident the assignments would be free of controversies,” said the manager.
Yawar, also a former first class cricketer said all the players showed great discipline during the Caribbean tour including captain Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal and Kamran Akmal who also faced PCB action after the troublesome tour of Australia.
“There were no scandals during the World Twenty20 despite presence of the punished trio and I am confident inclusion of Younis and Shoaib will also not disturb environment in the dressing room,” he said.
The manager felt that decision to include banned players in the squad was taken in the best interest of team, saying Pakistan will need seasoned players in the assignments especially on tour of England.
However, the 75-year old said he would keep a vigilant eye on the players during the tours and would not tolerate any discipline breach.
“Rule and regulations are equal for all the players and I would not let any player break them and deal strictly with any discipline-related offence,” he said.—PPI
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