Media gag imposed on Pak players following Saeed Ajmal’s slip-up – Cricket News Update
Following Saeed Ajmal’s disastrous and controversial interview with the BBC, in which he appeared to suggest that the ICC had given him special permission to straighten his arm beyond the permitted 15 degrees while bowling, the PCB has imposed a media gag
on the Pakistani players, forbidding them from making any statements in the absence of the team manager.
"The PCB reminded the manager, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Naved-Iqbal-Cheema-c78897, that all players are under the Board's code of conduct and are required to inform and seek permission before giving any interview or statement to any media outlet," said a source from the PCB. Heavy fines, and
even bans, will be imposed on players found violating the media policy.
The decision came after Ajmal’s comments created media controversy, with the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 denying having issued any special permission. Clarifications regarding the spinner’s bowling action, such as the fact that his arm is not naturally straight, owing to a past
accident, were also issued.
PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf, said that the board had reviewed the situation, and would ensure that an official from the team management would accompany players during an interview sessions, with no team member being allowed to speak independently to the media
without clearance from the manager or coach. "We have looked at this episode and have issued instructions to the team management to ensure such things are not repeated," http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashraf-c46397 told the Pakistani newspaper Dawn on Thursday.
The chairman also added that the current controversy is a “clever ploy” against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 in the Test series. According to him, Ajmal, who has a weak command over the English language, was tricked by the interviewer.
The enforcement of the media gag has been supported by chief selector http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khwaja-Salahuddin-Ahmed-c71432, who has claimed that it was necessary, in order to avoid future controversies. He stressed the need for a media manager, who could act as a mediator between the players
and journalists.
Former Pakistan spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saqlain-Mushtaq-c88743, who is credited with the invention of the ‘doosra’, spoke out in support of the 34-year-old spin compatriot, advising him to refrain from discussing the technicalities of the game with the media.
“Ajmal’s bowling action has been cleared by the ICC,” said Mushtaq. “This is the bottom line and Ajmal should keep this fact in mind all the time. He must ignore discussions on his bowling action.”
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