Mohsin admits finding substitutes for Pak’s tainted trio “really tough”

KARACHI - Pakistan’s former Test opener and incumbent chief selector Mohsin Khan has acknowledged that it will be “really tough” for the selectors to find replacements of the tainted trio- Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir- if they are ruled out of the assignment for the upcoming series against South Africa.

Mohsin stressed that the trio were among the country’s key players and would be ‘automatic choices’ for the assignment if cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC), The News reported.

“They are three of our key players and will be in the squad if cleared to play in the forthcoming series,” he said, adding, “It will be really tough for us to find their replacement in case they are not available to play against South Africa.”

However, Mohsin pointed out that Pakistan, having plenty of talent, would be able to raise a good team to face the Proteas in the series starting from Oct 26, even if the trio could not be included in the squad.

He said that the selectors would announce the squad for the Pak-SA series after discussions with Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis.

“We are waiting for the (PCB) chairman to return from England. He is expected to return later this week after which we will sit down and finalise the team,” he added. (ANI)