Qasim steps down as Pakistan chief selector

Karachi:

Taking the moral responsibility of Pakistan's "shameful" performance against Australia in both the Test and one-day series, country's chief selector Iqbal Qasim resigned from his post.

Qasim's decision came after Pakistan lost the fifth and final one-dayer against Australia by two wickets at Perth today, which also completed a 0-5 whitewash.

Pakistan earlier lost the three-match Test series 0-3.

"After the clean sweep in the Test as well as the one-day series in Australia, I don't think it is my moral duty to remain the chief selector," said Qasim, a former spinner.

Qasim said that he had sent his resignation by e-mail to Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ejaz Butt and Chief Operating Officer Wasim Bari.

"I think it is the time some changes were made in the team and some new players were also introduced for the 2011 World Cup which is not fair off," Qasim said.

"These results do not reflect the strength of our team. It is just that the players lacked the self belief and form to do well in Australia," he added.

Qasim was the third chief selector to go within the tenure of Butt, who took charge in October, 2008. Salahuddin Ahmed and Abdul Qadir had earlier resigned for different reasons from the selection committee.

During Butt's tenure the captains of the Pakistan team have also been changed thrice -- in the form of Shoaib Malik, Younus Khan and Muhammad Yousuf.