12 May,2009 10:56 AM IST | | PTI
Pakistan chief selector Abdul Qadir rubbished media reports claiming he had serious difference with captain Younis Khan and the duo was not on talking terms.
Qadir told reporters in Lahore that he was very upset after reading media reports about a 'serious dispute' with Younis over the selection of the squad for the forthcoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup.
"These reports are not true. It is not true that we are not on talking terms. I have been in touch with Younis on a regular basis over selection matters. There are no serious differences between us," an upset Qadir said. "Everyone has a different view in selection matters and the purpose of taking the captain and coach into confidence is to reach a consensus after proper discussions."
Qadir said he was not aware why the media was trying to give the impression that he and Younis were not getting along. Media reports had earlier claimed that Younis and Qadir got into a deadlock in Abu Dhabi while finalising the squad for the World Cup and in the end the captain used his veto power to get his team.
Reports said relations between the two soured with Qadir saying the captain would be responsible for the team's performance in England. Apparently, Qadir wanted two other players in the squad while Younis pushed for the inclusion of rookie players Shahzaib Hassan and Mohammad Aamir.
In the past also the two have said to have differed over the selection of young opener Ahmed Shahzad for the one-day series against Australia. Qadir said he was confident that the best possible team was picked for the Twenty20 event and it would do well. "If we can improve our fielding I am sure we have the talent to reach the final four stage," Qadir said.
Qadir said that he was also confident and counting on senior players like Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi to play leading roles in the World Cup starting from June 5.
