Zeenews Bureau
Ahmedabad: Yusuf Pathan lashed out at the BCCI selectors, saying the non-selection of his brother, Irfan Pathan, in the 30-man probable squad for the Champions Trophy has got nothing to do with his performance, but the reasons are beyond the cricket field.
Yusuf, who has found himself a place in the probable team, told an Indian newspaper that Irfan’s performance had never been a problem and he has always delivered what was expected of him.
“Irfan’s performance was always up to the mark. He has not been left out because of his performance. Everybody has seen what is happening,” an annoyed Yusuf told the newspaper when asked to comment on the issue.
“What will I comment,” Yusuf went on. “It is for you (the media) to react and comment on what is happening.”
Yusuf’s comments came on the lines of Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) chief selector Mukund Parmar’s statements that the Indian team selection is mainly conducted on regional basis and “for someone from Gujarat to get selected in the Indian team, someone from the state has to be there in the selection panel”.
Earlier, Gujarat Ranji Trophy consultant coach Ashok Patel too accused the BCCI for following biased regional practices. He indirectly alleged the current BCCI Selection Committee Chairman Krishnamachari Srikkanth of including more players in the team from his region, that is, Chennai.
“The Indian team composition is very South-heavy, or rather we should say, Chennai heavy,” Patel said.
This is not the first time that the BCCI is faced with accusations of bias. Earlier, Sourav Ganguly and Vinod Kambli too, alleged the board of indulging in mal-practices during the team selection.
Ganguly claimed that he could have had a longer career but “the BCCI’s rules are not the same for everyone” and thus, his journey in Indian cricket was cut short.
Vinod Kambli, on the other, said on a reality TV show that “I always felt discriminated because of my cast and colour by the Cricket Board.”
