June 02, 2007	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 16, 1428

KARACHI, June 1: Speed merchant Shoaib Akhtar believes future of Pakistan cricket is dark and disappointing, the Voice of America Radio (VOA) reported on Friday. “It would be a gross and serious misunderstanding to say we had enough back-up talent lined up,” Shoaib said in an interview.

“We used to say ‘we have great talent in hockey and squash’ and look what happened (to Pakistan’s position in these games). The same is the case with cricket as we don’t have quality fast bowlers like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and myself anymore,” Shoaib, one of the fastest and match-winning bowlers, expressed.

“If the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) academies successfully work for at least three years, only then we could see some light at the end of the tunnel but at the moment the picture is gloomy, disappointing and future is dark, very dark; I can give you this in writing,” Shoaib claimed.

“If radical and appropriate steps are not taken, (Pakistan) cricket would also end up at the bottom like hockey and squash in which Pakistan once were world beaters,” the speedster warned.

On the issue of doping Shoaib said: “It was PCB’s internal matter and I have battled my case out to prove my innocence. The chapter was closed as WADA or the ICC had nothing to do with the matter.

The ICC can surely conduct dope tests in the ICC events.”—Agencies