KARACHI, Aug 21: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said on Monday that controversial Australian umpire Darrell Hair should be removed from the elite panel of umpires by the ICC for his prejudices against the Asian teams and particularly against Pakistan in the Oval Test.
“He has a poor track record against the Asians and is known for creating unnecessary controversies,” Wasim maintained.
He lashed out at the ICC for its toothless approach towards major issues of world cricket and said it was just a dummy body which revelled in making money and preparing tour itineraries.
“They are not going to take any action against the umpires no matter they they do on the ground,” Wasim said.
Holder of a world record 502 wickets in the ODIs, Wasim said Inzamam’s stance of dressing room protest after tea break against Hair’s decision was not the best way to go about things.
“Pakistan team should have protested in a different manner rather than not coming onto the ground after tea. Whatever happens, the game has to go on,” said Wasim.
Ex-chief selector Hasib Ahsan said if ICC had any courage they should blacklist Hair for his biased attitude towards Pakistan.
“PCB’s top brass who were present in London should have handled the controversy in a more tactical manner,” he said.
Former Test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz was candid about the saga and opined that Inzamam's team was not exactly blameless in the whole issue.
“The game should have continued,'' he said. ''I fail to understand why Inzamam chose to protest after the tea interval and not at the time of the Hair objection?”
Another ex-Test paceman Jalaluddin said the Pakistan team should have played on. “Umpires have the right to change the ball and Pakistan players should have controlled their emotions,” Jalal said. “We see lots of wrong decisions during a match, but does the player walk out or protest?”—Agencies