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| May 14, 2005 | Saturday | Rabi-us-Sani 5, 1426 |
Paceman Shoaib indisciplined, Hasib unsuitable: Shaharyar says
LAHORE, May 13: Controversial paceman Shoaib Akhtar was an indisciplined individual and former national team’s chief selector Hasib Ahsan was not considered for the recent Indian tour being “wholly unsuitable” for such a sensitive assignment.
These observations were made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mr. Shaharyar M. Khan in a letter addressed to Lt-Gen Hamid Javaid, Chief of Staff to the President, Gen Pervez Musharraf who is also Patron-In-Chief of PCB, a copy of which was obtained by Dawn.
Copies of the letter were also addressed to Major Genral Shafaat Ullah Shah, Military Secretary to the President and Mr. Mohsin Hafeez, Additional Secretary, President’s Secretariat.
“I have consulted officials (coach, manager, captain and visiting PCB officials) on the team’s conduct and discipline in Australia. There is a unanimous opinion that except for one player (Shoaib Akhtar), the team behaved in a completely disciplined manner.
“Woolmer has stated that in his entire career, he has not experienced a better behaved and disciplined team. Only Shoaib Akhtar’s conduct has sullied the team’s image. The rape case report was thoroughly investigated and was found to be false.
“It was part of tabloid sensationalism for which the Australian tabloid press is known for. Action is already in hand regarding Shoaib Akhtar’s misconduct,” PCB chief wrote.
The PCB chairman in his letter also informed that after Mueen Afzal and Asad Jahangir had declined Majid Khan, Zafar Altaf and Munawwar Rana were proposed as manager of the Pakistan team for the Indian tour before appointing Saleem Altaf, but he did not give any reason for rejecting the three gentlemen.
However, the chairman added a note about Hasib Ahsan, the former chief selector, giving reason for not considering him as manager.
“I was High Commissioner to UK when in 1987 Hasib Ahsan was manager. I consider him wholly unsuitable for such a sensitive assignment. This view is shared by Imran Khan and members of the team, as also all senior cricketers and administrations I have consulted,” the chairman said.
Zafar Altaf was a first-class cricketer, former chairman of PCB and a retired grade-22 officer. Majid was a superstar in his playing days and highly respected administration having worked as the chief executive of the PCB. Brig Munawwar has acted as the PCB director and also supervised ACC tournament matches as match referee.
Shaharyar also suggested Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar stadiums should be placed under PCB control for staging matches considering Pakistan will be hosting England later this year.
“PCB has control of four stadiums that are eligible to stage international matches — Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Quetta. The remaining three stadiums can host international matches — Peshwar, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi — are not under PCB control and though Peshawar and Faisalabad have always cooperated fully with PCB in staging international matches, Rawapindi has invariably insisted on making its own arrangements, leading to dislocation and inaction.
“PCB cannot make the desired investments in the above three grounds without their being PCB’s control,” the letter added.
The chairman also suggested this was a right time to take decision in this regard because an hectic international schedule of activities. The chairman also expressed his dissatisfaction over the coverage of the PTV of the domestic matches.
“It is vital that our first class cricket should be shown on TV. After long negotiations, PTV agreed but only after heavy daily payments (Rs 1.25 lakh per day). The TV coverage of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy has been highly unsatisfactory”.
“Now, PTV have informed us that STN Service on which these matches were televised is going off the air. PCB would like PTV to continue showing all First Class Cricket on a domestic channel but if they are unable to do so, PTV should enable interested foreign channels to televise cricket in Pakistan.
“In short, PTV should facilitate foreign channels covering our domestic cricket rather than insist on PTV providing poor quality coverage at high cost.”
“It would be appreciated if PTV were directed to cooperate down the line with the PCB in promoting cricket at all levels,” the letter suggested.
The PCB chief also suggested the president the departments whose teams had been participating in the Patron’s Trophy should also sponsor regions.
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