LAHORE: Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram has lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board for its handling of the Zulqarnain Haider issue.
“It’s the inability of the board that has left the players insecure and vulnerable. I feel that the PCB is not capable of handling Pakistan cricket. It has failed to strike a bond of trust with the players which has left players insecure and vulnerable. There is a lack of direction and leadership in the PCB and the controversies have been a perennial problem with Pakistan cricket,” Akram said.
Haider sent shock waves across the cricket world when he announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday, claiming his life was under threat for refusing to fix matches during the ODI series versus South Africa.
The 24-year-old Haider, who made his Test debut in August earlier this year against England at Edgbaston, fled to London without informing the authorities to seek political asylum in the UK. Akram said it was not wise of Haider to flee to London just before the fifth and final ODI versus South Africa. “It was not wise of Haider to just run away from the situation.
He could have handled the situation better. Running away and leaving your country in the lurch is not the solution” he said. Akram is also unhappy that the ICC is dictating terms to Pakistan on the composition of the World Cup squad but blamed PCB for proving to be a weak board.
“The PCB is a weak body and has failed to infuse any kind of confidence in the ICC. Hence the ICC has no resort but to intervene and the PCB is forced to obey them,” said Akram. Akram hoped Pakistan cricket would overcome the crisis after the recent spate of controversies.
“The talent in this Pakistan side is amazing and I hope they get over this bad phase and come out a stronger unit,” said Akram.
