Former test cricketer Basit Ali expressed his surprise over the tarnishing statement of former PCB chairman Ijaz Butt when the game was damaged the most during his tenure in the board.
Basit further said that the PCB was making extraordinary efforts for the overall development of women cricket in the country.
“The present regime of PCB led by Mohammad Zaka Asrhaf has done a lot to set new bench marks as far promotion of women cricket is concerned”, he told reporters here on Wednesday.
He said women cricket has gained rapid success in recent years and significant improvement has been seen in the performance of Pakistan women cricket team at international level, he said.
“The steps being taken by Zaka Ashraf for the further uplift of women cricket will produce long term results as players are being groomed with the help of experienced coaches and a comprehensive activity plan is there to polish the skills of the players”, he asserted.
“I dont say that in a year time or so we will be able to make a strong women side like champions Australia but I am very confident that in years to come Pak team will emerge as a force to reckon with at international level”, he added.
To a question he termed the recent outburst of a former chairman of PCB, Ijaz Butt ” anti cricket and damaging ” for the cause of cricket in Pakistan.
“During Ijaz Butt’s regime Pakistan suffered a lot across the globe due to spot fixing scandal and still its sour memories are following our cricket and it was the most unfortunate incident of our cricket”, said the former test cricketer.
Answering a question, he said there is no truth in the recent statement of Ijaz Butt that national captains, Misbahul Haq and Muhammad Hafeez have developed differences between them.
“I think there are some quarters who are trying to promote their vested interest with such baseless statements and to cause confusion “,he said adding ” It is happening at a time when we have yet to start our preparations for Champions
Trophy”.
Basit said he still believes that there should be separate captains for each format of the game.
“Three years ago I suggested that there should be separate teams and captains for test, one day and T20 because these formats require such specialised players who can duly justify in their respective roles”, he said.
