Unjust ICC Awards

Saturday 22 September 2012

Unjust ICC Awards

Saeed Ajmal has been excluded from the ICC awards.

The annual ICC ceremony was held on Saturday in Colombo but Ajmal - the top wicket-taker in tests for the qualifying period - was not shortlisted for test cricketer of the year, ODI player of the year or international cricketer of the year.

Ajmal’s performance in Test cricket has been marvellous in the calendar year August 4, 2011 to August 6, 2012. He took 72 wickets in 12 Test matches while the South African pacer, Vernon Philander, who is included in the shortlist, took only 56 wickets during the same period.

Here is a growing sense amongst Pakistan fans worldwide that their team is not given the importance or consideration it deserves on the global level. The scandals are lapped up with great vigour while the achievements often go unnoticed and are mostly seen through the lens of suspicion.

Due to this unfair decision,the PCB must lodge a strong protest with the ICC. If the ICC doesn’t change its decision, every Pakistani player should wear black bands to protest against this decision in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf Said :

“Saeed Ajmal, we still say you’re the number one bowler in the world and the PCB recognizes you, and whether someone gives you the prize, that is immaterial, we don’t care. We congratulate you and when you come back home (after the World Twenty20) we will give you a prize for being the number one bowler in the world.”

Imran Khan a former Pakistani captain said that Saeed Ajmal’s exclusion was unjust.

Mohsin Khan, the former Test opener who coached the team that whitewashed then world’s top-ranked England team in a three-match Test series in the UAE earlier this year, said the selection process should not come down to personal preferences.

This ICC process to shortlist players is clearly flawed because cricket is all about performance, not personal likes and dislikes.

“If anyone else has more wickets than Saeed, then we are ready to withdraw our concern and instead we will support their pick”. But if anyone else has no more wickets than Saeed Ajmal then why ICC decided to leave out Saeed Ajmal.

WHY???? I ask the question from you people.Please leave your comments below and share your opinion.

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