Sources close to outgoing Chief Selector Mohammad Ilyas have confirmed to PakPassion.net that Ilyas' resignation as chief selector was down to some key decisions that he was very unhappy about.

By Saj Sadiq (3rd March, 2012)

Sources close to outgoing Chief Selector Mohammad Ilyas have confirmed to PakPassion.net that Ilyas' resignation as chief selector was down to some key decisions that he was very unhappy about.

The source stated "Ilyas was firstly very unhappy with Shoaib Malik's inclusion in the squad for the series against England in the UAE. Initially at the meeting Ilyas had openly questioned why Malik was being selected and didn't receive an adequate response from any of the other selectors. It was then decided that he would not be selected and the squad was then announced without Malik's name" However according to the source the selection of Shoaib Malik was then subsequently made without Ilyas' approval and agreement via a press release.

The source further added "In addition Ilyas has been unhappy with Mohammad Hafeez's batting form lately and felt that he should have been dropped, but was once again overruled. Ilyas feels that Hafeez's batting form has not been up to the mark lately and he needed to get back to Pakistan and work on his batting. Again he was overruled."

PakPassion.net understands that Ilyas has been offered a future role within the Pakistan Cricket Board, but is undecided about whether he wants to accept the position.

The source further added that Ilyas was surprised at the naming of Iqbal Qasim as his replacement, especially having previously resigned the role after a string of defeats in 2009/2010.

In addition the source stated "Ilyas is surprised at Nasir Jamshed's selection for the Asia Cup, especially given that he was named in spot fixing allegations at the Bangladesh Premier League recently and his bank account details were allegedly found on the mobile phone of the confessed bookie from Karachi."

When contacted by PakPassion.net Ilyas merely stated "I resigned as I want to keep my self respect intact and did not want to continue in the role of Chief Selector. I felt it was the honourable thing to do and that's why I quit. I felt that the criticism that Imran (Farhat) was receiving due to my role as Chief Selector was unfair and don't think it was justified."

Farhat was omitted from the squad for the Asia Cup announced today by the Pakistan Cricket Board and replaced by Nasir Jamshed.