Is Pakistan Cricket Board on the wrong foot?
A recently leaked footage of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) inquiry proceedings shows current captain Shahid Afridi concerned about his team’s status. Popularly known as “Boom Boom” in the cricketing world, Afridi imposed serious allegations against some of his team members and former coach Intikhab Alam. Less than four months after the catastrophic tour of Australia, the match-fixing saga has surfaced yet again. Kamran Akmal once again happens to be the most controversial character in the team, ever since Shoaib Malik has been sidelined from the team.
Afridi was seen telling the inquiry panel that former captain Shoaib Malik was responsible for the debacle on the Australian tour. Lack of team spirit, politics, and other demoralizing factors were induced into the national team by the former captain. The skipper was of the opinion that Intikhab Alam was equally responsible for the low morale in the team. Detrimental statements by the former coach were termed as “unhealthy” by Afridi.
Later on, the captain apologized for his irrational behaviour on the field and admitted that it was uncalled for. Afridi, 30, described the ball biting incident as an emotional act of despair as he wanted the team to win which would have been a blessing in disguise for the whole nation. With no international cricket taking place in Pakistan along with senior players serving life-long bans, the future of Pakistani cricket seems highly uncertain. Media reports suggest that the team management and board members, particularly Chairman PCB Ijaz Butt, played a big role in the entire fiasco. If the management is strong and implies strict disciplinary measures, such hostile acts could be prevented.
Yawar Saeed, the current manager of the national team has also played his part. Former players and captains clarified that the manager is responsible for every single situation that happens on a tour both on and off the field. Saeed has served for many years with the PCB and has accompanied the team on many tours. Yawar Saeed, according to many is the right man for the job. However, his role seems to lack strength as far as handling team affairs was concerned at the tour down under. Be it the after match disco streak of players, signing autographs for fans or talking to people and cheerleaders on the boundary ropes – the manager is to be accountable for all of them. All these actions project a non-serious attitude towards play and very shabby approach to cricket on behalf of the players. If the players cannot be controlled, they should either be left in the dug out or the man responsible should justify his authority.
On the other hand, the ever green Mr. Butt had his say on Friday, restating that the current Pakistan team was clean from any match-fixing issues. He further added that the matter had been looked into and no evidence was found against any player.
Butt added, “The Australian tour chapter is now closed and we have finished our inquiry. We have found no evidence of any match-fixing during the tour,”
On the contrary, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti- Corruption and Security Unit declared on Thursday that it is scrutinizing Pakistan’s tour to Australia. The ACSU termed the performance as a “dysfunctional” team or “something more serious”.
A former Pakistan captain on the condition of anonymity was quoted as saying, “Appointing selectors, manager, coach and captain without giving them their due authority to exercise there right is very unfair and unprofessional on Mr. Ijaz Butt’s part”.
Afridi suggested and requested the concerned authorities to get over this scandal as soon as possible. With nine months left in the 2011 World Cup which will be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the experienced all-rounder wanted his team to have a clear mind. Shahid Khan Afridi, the man who is being tipped as the most likely captain for the mega event was worried and confused with his team in all sorts of trouble.
"I think that for our team to move on, we need to quickly resolve all such controversies. You can't expect the players to give their best when there are so many allegations thrown at them," said Afridi.
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