'Autocrat' title given to Inzamam was based on players' views: PEC

Lahore, May 20 (UNI) Days after former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq was termed 'autrocrat' by the Performance Evaluation Committee (PEC) set up to probe the nation's failure in the Caribbean World Cup, a member of PEC, Salahuddin Ahmed said the title given to him was not decided by the committee but on the basis of the views of different players.

'The Dawn' quoted Salahuddin as saying that various players, who had been playing with Inzamam, gave their comments to the PEC about his strict attitude with them, and added that the players' statements had been recorded on audio cassettes.

However, Salahuddin, who was also elevated as the chairman of National Selection Committee during the probe, said Inzamam was a great batsman and the committee had no bias against him.

''We did our efforts honestly and I think that is why the report of the committee has been appreciated by the public,'' he opined.

The PEC report had stated that Inzamam had become an introvert and autocratic captain particularly after the Oval fiasco when his refusal to go to the field was overlooked by the then PCB chief Shaharyar Khan.

However, in a response to the committee's statement, Inzamam, who retired from ODIs after a disatrous World Cup outing, had said only players whom he had been playing with, were in a position to give remarks about his attitude.

Meanwhile, Salahuddin was quick to point out that Inzamam's inclusion in the Test team would be purely based on his performance and fitness considering the interest the interest of Pakistan.

''To me Pakistan comes first and not an individual. However, Inzamam will be given a fair chance to prove his match fitness and form to claim a place in the Test side,'' Salahuddin stated.

UNI