GCA defends Azharuddin son's selection for Ranji Trophy

Panaji (Goa): Goa Cricket Association (GCA) secretary Daya Pagi has defended the decision of selecting former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin's son Asaduddin in the state team for the upcoming season of Ranji Trophy, following the uproar over the same.

Earlier, former Chennai Super Kings player Shadab Jakati had raised the objection over the selection saying that Asaduddin holds no experience of playing a first-class match and his inclusion in the team is baseless.

In reply, Pagi argued that they just gave a chance to the cricketer to test his abilities and there is no other motive behind the move.

"His son is also a cricketer, and we thought why not give him a chance and see how good he is, after all we can't afford to pay big money to some other professionals. There is no other motive," ESPNcricinfo.com quoted Pagi, as saying.

Reflecting on the selection move, the head coach of the Goa domestic team Prakash Mayekar said that the decision is completely managerial and further claimed that his selection is not final in the squad.

"This is the decision of the management. They sent him here for the camp to look how good he is. I have not seen him much, very frankly, so it's just the call of the management," Mayekar said.

"The decision of selecting him [Asaduddin] is not final. Five-six days before this controversy, they told me 'he is going to join your camp and he is not decided yet.' Let's see how good he is," he added.

Jakati, along with another senior player Swapnil Asnodkar, was dropped from the pre-season camp of the state team. He, however, insisted that he is not bothered about his omission and is just questioning the association's logic of picking players.