Former all-rounder and junior selector Farveez Maharoof is reportedly trying to become a member of Sri Lanka’s national selection committee, Cricket Age reliably learns.
The one year tenure of present selection committee, consisting of three members – Chairman Asantha De Mel, Chaminda Mendis and Vinothen John – has ended on August 5 and the newly appointed Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa is expected to appoint the new committee in this month.
Cricket Age understand that while the existing three members of the committee will be retained, the hierarchy of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is mulling over to include another selector.
“Even though the senior selection committee’s one year contract has expired, the board has instructed them to continue until the appointment of the new panel. Accordingly, the selectors are carrying their duties in the ongoing major league tournament” a SLC top official told Cricket Age.
Accordingly, Maharoof, who’s name is already in the newly proposed junior selection committee, is lobbying hard to get the senior portfolio.
“As normaly Maharoof claims for each and every post in Sri Lanka cricket, now he has set his sight on senior selector job. He has high-profile contacts, so he is trying to promote himself as senior selector” an inside at Sri Lanka cricket told Cricket Age.
The publication understand that not Maharoof, but former Sri Lanka player Gamini Wickramasinghe is most likely to be included as another selector, given his experience. A former wicket-keeper batsman, Gamini has served both national and U19 Team’s as selector and posses inside knowledge of domestic cricket.
“That was the main reason, his (Gamini) name was not included in the newly proposed junior selectors list, as he was tipped for the senior role” the SLC top official added.
