Pakistan's iconic former captain Imran Khan said yesterday the public row between management and all-rounder Shahid Afridi was akin to a "suicide attack" that could sink cricket into deeper turmoil
Pakistan's iconic former captain Imran Khan said yesterday the public row between management and all-rounder Shahid Afridi was akin to a "suicide attack" that could sink cricket into deeper turmoil.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended Afridi's contract and revoked permission for him to play abroad to punish his recent decision to retire from international cricket and criticise the board.
Afridi went to court on Tuesday, demanding that the sanctions be overturned. The court adjourned a PCB disciplinary committee meeting set for Wednesday and summoned PCB officials to appear in court Thursday.
Shahid Afridi (right) and coach Waqar Younis
"This case is another suicide attack on Pakistan cricket," Khan told AFP. "I don't know why Pakistan cricket keeps inflicting suicide attacks on itself which are damaging for the game in a country already reeling under problems."
Khan, who led Pakistan to their only World Cup title in 1992 and now heads his own political party Tehreek-e-Insaaf, blamed the saga on a lack of unaccountability among the PCB.
"The reason why Pakistan cricket remains in turmoil is because there is no stability, no institutionalism in decision making and because the head of the board is appointed by the president of Pakistan and is not accountable," he said.
He said frequent changes in the captaincy have destabilised the team. "I still can't understand how can you change Younis Khan six months after he led Pakistan to the World Twenty20 title," said Khan. Younis was forced out after a players' revolt against him in November 2009.
"How can Afridi be replaced a month after leading Pakistan to the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup? A few days ago he was showered with praise and prizes and he had started to stabilise the team."
Afridi publicly criticised coach Waqar Younis for "undue meddling" in the team's selection during Pakistan's tour of the West Indies last month. The PCB subsequently replaced him as captain.
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