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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has refused to release Saqlain Mushtaq for Surrey in the English county championship. A top Pakistan Cricket Board official said the off spinner, like Abdul Razzaq, will not be released during the home series against New Zealand but would have the option to skip the proposed three-match one-day series against Australia and the tri-nation one-day series.

"The home series against New Zealand, triangular tournament in Tangiers, tri-series in Pakistan and the ICC Champions Trophy are important for Pakistan in build-up for the World Cup. We presume that since the two will be our integral components in the World Cup, they have to be there so that the winning combination can be built," the official said.

Saqlain's place in the two-Test and three-match one-day series against New Zealand is in serious threat after being dropped from the on-going Asian Test Championship final. However, the official clarified that not releasing Saqlain didn't mean that he would be picked for all the five matches. "That's for the team management to decide if he makes the final eleven".

The official, nevertheless, expressed his displeasure over the behaviour of Saqlain after he was informed that he was not playing in the Asian Test Championship final. "I don't want to go into the details but his behaviour was unlike a professional sportsman," he said.

"Saqlain conveyed his latest demand to Mudassar Nazar [team coach] and Yawar Saeed [team manager] who have passed on the message to the competent authorities."

© Dawn