LAHORE The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given contradictory signals about the dictation of the ICCs Anti-Corruption Unit in finalising the preliminary 30-member squad for the World Cup. Following reports in media that the ICC does not want certain players in the World Cup squad over suspicion of involvement in spot-fixing, the board came with a strange statement which read: The PCB wishes to clarify that it is the PCBs sole prerogative to select the squad for next years ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The impression in a section of media that the PCB will submit a list of 45 players to the ICC for its sign-off is incorrect. Till that it is fine. But when Zulqarnain feld to the UK, instead of calling Kamran Akmal who scored a brilliant 78 in a Quaid Trophy match just a day earlier, the PCB brought in his younger brother Adnan Akmal. The PCB also gave no explanation on mysterious last-minute omission of leggie Danish Kaneria. If the PCB was really independent as it claimed in its statement, it should bother to explain these two incident. To add more credence to the argument that the ICC is dictating its terms, Salman Butts lawyer Aftab Gul refused to plead the former skippers case on grounds that the ICC had already made up its mind. Aftab Gul said there was no purpose for representing Salman in the ICC tribunal hearing, scheduled for January. The ICC has already decided what to do and it does not want Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif in the World Cup squad. So, what is the use in attending this hearing? said Gul. The lawyer also said he would explain the reasons for his refusal in a letter to be released to the media soon. There is no evidence shown as yet against my client and the other players and yet the ICC and Pakistan board have made up their minds to punish these players. It is grave injustice, he said. But despite dismissing the report, the PCB still admitted, albeit indirectly, that it was seeking help from the ACU in finalising its players. It would be better for the PCB to at least stay silent. Its claim of independence has done no good to its image for even an average person can interpret and relate the events. For events beyond its control, one way to minimise the damages is to stay silent for PCB.