Moin Khan ordered to return home from World Cup: PCB

Pakistan's chief selector Moin Khan has been ordered to return home immediately from Australia by in the aftermath of the controversy generated over his visit to a casino in Christchurch.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said in Lahore on Tuesday that the board after investigating the matter has decided to call Moin back.

"We asked him for an explanation and he said he had gone to have dinner at the casino. But we feel his action was inappropriate at a time when the Pakistan team is struggling in the World Cup," Khan said.

"We don't want to be judgmental but being a chief selector and senior member of the touring squad he should have been careful and we don't think his returning home will have any effect on the team's performances," he said.

Media reports in Pakistan said that Moin, a former Test captain, had visited a casino on the night of the match against the West Indies in which Pakistan was hammered by 150 runs, their worst ever defeat in a World Cup.

The issue has been played up by some channels in view of the poor performances of the Pakistan team, who were beaten by India and West Indies in their first two games.

Ever since the Pakistan team left for its World Cup campaign last month it has constantly run into controversies with reports from New Zealand and Australia suggesting rifts in the team.

Khan said that manager Naved Cheema will now chair the tour selection committee which will include captain Misbah-ul-Haq and coach Waqar Younis.

PCB sources also indicated that Moin might lose his chief selector's job.

Image: Moin Khan.

Photograph: Solaris Images

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