The ICC is inefficient: Qadir

Former Pakistan chief selector Abdul Qadir questions the ICC's credibility as an able governing body.

LAHORE: Former Pakistan chief selector Abdul Qadir has questioned the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) credibility as an able governing body over its alleged failure to curb corruption. The former Pakistan leg-spinner also called on the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit to be pro-active instead of waiting for media reports before making their moves.

“I’m very disappointed with the way the ICC has dealt with the spot-fixing issue as the body itself has no power to counter things,” said Qadir at his cricket academy in Lahore. “The ICC responded hastily and suspended the three players [Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir] even though they pulled out of the England tour themselves,” added Qadir, who believed the ICC tried to exhibit its authority by provisionally suspending the players.

Qadir also criticised the anti-corruption unit and said that the body has not uncovered any wrongdoings itself and acted only on reports.

“I don’t remember the unit pointing out wrongdoing and has not solved any case either.

“Following Yasir Hameed’s sting interview I am convinced that there is a lobby functioning to dismay Pakistan and Pakistan cricket,” said Qadir. “The News of the World failed to trap the players and Pakistan’s pride and esteem still stand alive.”

Hameed was fraudulently interviewed by the British tabloid as he discussed the spot-fixing controversy with the undercover reporter, pretending to be an agent, as the video was recorded secretly. Hameed, who discussed the players being involved in throwing matches, claimed that he was discussing the original report that appeared in the tabloid.

“I think Pakistan should not take a light stance on the issue as the ICC itself is nothing. I urge the Pakistan Cricket Board to press deep into the mess to clear things and not let any one dictate them.”

The former leg-spinner, however, maintained that players, who are involved in match or spot-fixing should be punished severely. “I am not taking the side of players who indulge in match or spot-fixing. Once proven, players should be punished severely.”

Team management should also be blamed

Apart from the ICC, Qadir also criticised the team management.

“They are there to handle players,” said Qadir. “If they knew that there was something suspicious, they should have used their influence to curb it. If they can’t control the team, they should use the official security to keep the team away from anyone they think can cause trouble.”

Confusion in team selection

On another note, Qadir pointed out the flaws in team selection as the former chief selector believed that the team is not picked according to the format it is playing.

“These days cricket consists of three different formats and there are different kinds of players in our team but the combination is not made according to the format. We have Mohammad Yousuf playing the Twenty20s and players like Fawad Alam playing both One-Day Internationals and Twenty20s.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2010.