LAHORE: Former Test and ICC panel umpire Mian Mohammad Aslam reckons that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needs to take drastic measures to curb wrongdoing by the umpires in domestic cricket.

Speaking to Dawn on Monday, after the PCB had suspended two of its umpires Nadeem Ghauri and Anis Siddiqui on corruption charges, Aslam said: “Firstly, the PCB needs to put a stop to the common practice of players giving various kinds of gifts to umpires.

“There is a race amongst PCB officials to appoint their favourite umpires in domestic matches which should also be stopped.”

Aslam, meanwhile, also rejected Ghauri’s version that he did nothing wrong except that he spoke openly in a friendly atmosphere.

“Being a responsible person, he should’ve spoken about other positives in a ‘friendly atmosphere’,” Aslam added.

“I’m really disappointed by what has ensued over the weekend regarding the umpires as it has earned a bad name for the country.

“But to avoid such incidents in the future, the PCB needs to form an independent committee which must have a vigilant eye on the performances of the umpires both on and off the field.”