LAHORE, Sept 12: With reference to a news item titled `Misbah forced to take backseat as Hafeez calls the shots`, published in Dawn on Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gave its version on the situation in a rebuttal to the said report on Thursday.

`The story is based on assumption and lacks substantiation. As far as the case of the last ODI against Australia in the UAE is concerned, it should be noted that contrary to the claim made in the story vice-captain [Hafeez] is not even included in the tour selection committee so he was in no position to influence the decision over the selection of final XI,` a PCB spokesman said.

`It is further stated that the PCB considers both Misbah and Hafeez as talented players and as captains of different formats they contribute in this capacity.

`The publication of the story is regretted,` the spokesman further said.

Dawn, however, stands by its story.-Sports Reporter