KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) has assured that its executive committee will not interfere in the national team’s player selection process on December 9.
Speaking to Scoop, MCA president Mohammed Iqbal Ali Kassim Ali emphasised that the selection process will be conducted transparently and independently.
Iqbal clarified that the MCA has consistently practised a transparent approach in selecting national players, although the issue has recently resurfaced.
He acknowledged that the process can be prolonged when the MCA conducts match-day selections, especially when weather conditions disrupt the completion of matches.
“This disrupts talent scouting efforts, as not all players get the opportunity to showcase their abilities,” he said.
“It has always been our practice that national player selection is carried out transparently. However, the unpredictable weather in the Klang Valley has affected the process during match-day selections.
“During the recent Malaysia Games (Sukma), many matches could not be completed, which made it challenging for the coaching staff to finalise their selections.
“I want to stress that the top management has never interfered in the selection process; everything is handled by the coaching staff,” Iqbal added when contacted.
One of the upcoming highlights for Malaysian cricket is the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, set to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, and Sarawak from January 18 to February 2, 2025.
“The historic participation of Malaysia in the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, which we are hosting, marks a proud milestone in our cricketing journey,” Iqbal said.
“This achievement reflects the dedication and passion of our players, coaches, and cricketing community.
“I am confident that this tournament will not only elevate global perceptions of Malaysian cricket but also inspire a new generation of players to strive for excellence on the world stage.”
In addition to reaffirming its commitment to transparency in national squad selection, the MCA announced plans to establish a dedicated committee to manage government grants.
“A special account will be created for this purpose, with full details of the committee and its members to be announced on December 14,” Iqbal concluded. — December 2, 2024