Pakistanis allege lack of transparency in team selection

Bhopal, Mar 30 (UNI) Dejected Pakistanis feel that ''lack of transparency'' in selection process led to their national team's shock exit from the World Cup.

After returning yesterday from a three-day official visit of the neighbouring country for taking part in a Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Asia Region, Madhya Pradesh Speaker Ishwardas Rohani told UNI here that people in Pakistan were sunk in grief and anger and alleged that merit was placed on the backburner during the selection.

''A similar sense of disbelief and dejection exists over India's losses and consequent exit from the championship,'' he added.

While en route to Katasraj from Islamabad, Mr Rohani consoled his Pakistani driver by explaining that winning and losing were part of the game. True sportsmanship ''meant accepting defeat with equal grace.'' The Speaker also visited his birthplace in Karachi along with his deputy Hazarilal Raghuvanshi and Principal Secretary (Assembly) A K Payasi.

UNI