No comment on Irfan's omission: Srikkanth

New Delhi:

National Chief Selector K Srikkanth on Wednesday refused to react on Yusuf Pathan's reported comments on his younger brother Irfan's omission from the Champions Trophy probables even as former cricketers are divided in their opinion on the issue.

All-rounder Yusuf was quoted as saying by a national daily on Wednesday that Irfan was not ignored just for cricketing reasons.

Srikkanth refused to be drawn into the controversy saying "I don't want to comment".

According to the report Yusuf, who plays Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, believed that Irfan was playing well and his form was not the only reason for his exclusion.

However, former cricketer Kirti Azad, who also had a stint as a selector, thinks otherwise.

"I don't know what are the reasons (for Irfan's exclusion). It could be fitness because if you can't complete four overs in the stipulated Twenty20 over game it shows he is not fit," he said.

"After all he is a bowling all-rounder and if you can't complete your quota of overs... you are unfit. And I also don't think he has performed that well that he expects him to be included in the side," Azad said.

But former paceman Madan Lal, who had aligned with unofficial ICL only to get back to BCCI fold, feels Irfan should have been included in the side.

"Irfan should have been there in the 30 probables as he is the only one all rounder we have. When players are out of form... the captain, coach and team should support him. You have to give him confidence," Lal said.