May 26, 2006	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 27, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

HYDERABAD, May 25: Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has criticised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its continued ad hocism and warned that without a proper institution talent could not be utilised in the country.

Imran, a long-time critic of country’s domestic cricket structure, claimed that there was strategy failure in Pakistan team and instead of being defensive the team needed to be aggressive during its England tour.

“Without a constitution, the cricket board cannot function like an organisation and that's why proper talent has not been utilised,” Imran told Dawn on Thursday.

The cricketer-turned-politician declared that domestic cricket structure has not been strengthened in the country so far and all the top class batsmen of 1970s were product of English counties and not the domestic cricket structure of Pakistan.

“Our domestic cricket structure cannot be compared to that of Australia and South Africa and that is the major reason we are not producing quality batsmen.

The fast bowlers have their own talent.

We continue to face problem with the opening pair where players need temperament,” he pointed out.

Imran blamed national coach Bob Woolmer for failing to devise a proper strategy and believed that was the basic reason behind Pakistan remaining defensive.

“The coach has not utilised the resources and talent of the team to the fullest,” he observed.

“Even Inzamamul Haq, who no doubt is world class batsman, remains on the defensive while India’s Rahul Dravid led from the front in the series against Pakistan.”

He questioned as to why Mohammad Sami and Salman Butt were dropped on Sri Lanka tour which could have been helpful for them.

“It was a big blunder as both players can be key members of the side. Since Waqar Younis is the bowling coach why does not he help Sami regain confidence.

“I believe both Sami and Salman can be useful on the England tour,” Imran added.