Pakistan

We don’t need to run after India: Shoaib Akhtar

PCB should work to strengthen national team, says former fast-bowler.

News Desk September 12, 2013

“The fact is that until and unless we have normal and friendly relations at a government to government level, why should we expect the Indian cricket board to be supportive," says Akhtar. PHOTO: AFP

Former Pakistan fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar believed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should turn its focus on strengthening the national team instead of running after the Board of Cricket Control for India (BCCI) for stabilising cricket ties, according to NDTV Sports.

Akhtar said this in the wake of the Faisalabad Wolves being denied visas by the Indian government for the Champions League Twenty20 tournament.

“I am not surprised that the Indians have not issued visas to the Faisalabad Wolves team for the Champions League,” said Akhtar. “The fact is that until and unless we have normal and friendly relations at a government to government level, why should we expect the Indian cricket board to be supportive?

“I have always said that we don’t need to run after India all the time and we need to stop begging.”

According to him, the BCCI acted on the policies set by the Indian government in regards to Pakistan, so expecting anything different from them was of no use.

“We should have never expected them to issue visas for the Faisalabad team,” he told a TV channel. “When they first invited us we should have taken a bold stance and said ‘thank you’. When will we as a nation or board show some self-respect and pride in our stance towards India?”

‘We need to start setting our house in order’

Akhtar further stated that it was time for the PCB to work on the country’s domestic cricket and infrastructure.

“We need to concentrate on building up our cricket structure and building up a world class side. When we have a world class side everyone will not only want to play against us but on our terms as well.

“There is no doubt that the standard of cricket has not only gone down in Pakistan but even worldwide. But here we are facing problems because we haven’t had a bold captain like Imran Khan for years now and we don’t have role model players who serve as inspiration to others.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2013.

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