KARACHI: Chief selector Haroon Rasheed said on Thursday that doors of ODI cricket were not closed for stalwarts like Younis Khan and Saeed Ajmal.

“Younis and Ajmal are players of high calibre and their inclusion [only] among 15 [of the ODI squad] is not justified,” Haroon said while addressing a news conference here at the Karachi Press Club (KPC).

Ex-chief selector Iqbal Qasim and former Pakistan team manager Abdul Raqeeb, KPC sports committee chairman Atiq-ur- Rehman and member Shoaib Jutt were also present on the occasion.

Haroon said he had great respect for players like Younis and Ajmal for their grand contribution to Pakistan and the game, adding they would be selected once they were needed by the team.

“Younis is an integral part of the Test team and once he is fitted in the final eleven, he can be considered for selection in the ODI outfit,” Haroon stated.

Former captain Younis was not considered for ODIs after this year’s World Cup though the 101-Test veteran continued to excel in the five-day format after the quadrennial showpiece.

The solid right-hander in July silenced many critics that growing age (37) was a hindrance with a majestic 171 not out to help Pakistan, who were chasing a mammoth 377, win the Pallekele Test and the series.

On 37-year-old Ajmal, Haroon said without a trace of doubt the veteran off-spinner was Pakistan’s bowling great.