Zaheer Abbas fears for Pakistan cricket
Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas fears for the future of cricket in the country.
KARACHI:
Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas fears for the future of cricket in the country, saying bad administration has led the sport towards disaster.
“Winning or losing is part of the game but I fear for Pakistan cricket because of the manner in which matters like transformation of the team have been handled,” said Abbas. “We’re heading towards disaster.”
His reaction comes right after Pakistan slumped to a nine-wicket defeat against England at Edgbaston - their second loss following a crushing 354-run mauling in the first Test at Nottingham. The victory on Monday gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test series.
Abbas said “knee-jerk” reactions by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been bothering fans and players alike. “Decisions have been taken in a haphazard manner which have been bothering. The main culprit is the administration which should be changed immediately.”
The former skipper has also criticised batsman Mohammad Yousuf’s recall.
“Yousuf announced his retirement and suddenly he was sent to England. How come Yousuf is in the team now but Younus Khan has not been selected. There are a different set of rules for two players. Younus should have been sent to England so that a mixture of youth and seniors would have guided this team. These young players are Pakistan’s future, but I am sorry their handling is very poor.”
Both Younus and Yousuf were handed an indefinite ban by the PCB earlier this year after Pakistan’s winless tour of Australia. Younus had his ban overturned on appeal, while Yousuf did not appeal and announced his retirement in protest. PCB lawyer Taffazul Rizvi had claimed last week that Younus would have to complete the legal process with the PCB before he could be recalled.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 11th, 2010.
Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas fears for the future of cricket in the country, saying bad administration has led the sport towards disaster.
“Winning or losing is part of the game but I fear for Pakistan cricket because of the manner in which matters like transformation of the team have been handled,” said Abbas. “We’re heading towards disaster.”
His reaction comes right after Pakistan slumped to a nine-wicket defeat against England at Edgbaston - their second loss following a crushing 354-run mauling in the first Test at Nottingham. The victory on Monday gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test series.
Abbas said “knee-jerk” reactions by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been bothering fans and players alike. “Decisions have been taken in a haphazard manner which have been bothering. The main culprit is the administration which should be changed immediately.”
The former skipper has also criticised batsman Mohammad Yousuf’s recall.
“Yousuf announced his retirement and suddenly he was sent to England. How come Yousuf is in the team now but Younus Khan has not been selected. There are a different set of rules for two players. Younus should have been sent to England so that a mixture of youth and seniors would have guided this team. These young players are Pakistan’s future, but I am sorry their handling is very poor.”
Both Younus and Yousuf were handed an indefinite ban by the PCB earlier this year after Pakistan’s winless tour of Australia. Younus had his ban overturned on appeal, while Yousuf did not appeal and announced his retirement in protest. PCB lawyer Taffazul Rizvi had claimed last week that Younus would have to complete the legal process with the PCB before he could be recalled.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 11th, 2010.