Here’s what four former Test cricketers have to say about the Shoaib Akhtar controversy:

Javed Miandad:

I think both parties are to be blamed. Shoaib is an undisciplined cricketer, but it’s also undeniable that the Pakistan Cricket Board is not the innocent party here. It should have penalised him earlier in order for him to improve his conduct. Instead, the board kept on supporting him, and now is equally responsible for creating the present imbroglio.

The problem of indiscipline has always been there. It still exists. There have been many incidents of misconduct that took place in the past. What about the Granada incident? The doping scandal? The board didn’t punish him at that time, and is punishing him now when his career is about to finish. Shoaib Akhtar behaved indifferently on many foreign tours. I am sure that if he was penalised at the time, such a controversy would have never taken root.

No one is bigger than the game; everyone should follow rules and regulations. But what’s been happening is that when your interest is linked with the incident, you ignore the discipline criterion.

With the involvement of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the issue, it has assumed international significance, and we will not see the end of it soon. There is the ICC Code of Conduct which is for every member country and all cricketers.

Mohsin Khan:

A cricketer should only play for his country, not for himself. The issue was definitely triggered by a cricketer who is not disciplined; but now the ICC has come into the picture and the matter is no longer in the PCB’s hands. It has become an international issue and will be dealt as per international laws. Let’s see how the ICC handles it. We can just hope for the best.

The controversy began on an unfortunate note. Now there are three ways to end it. First; they can find a middle way to save both parties. Second; the story might end disappointingly for one party. Third; the controversy could prove more devastating than we think.

Personally I want Shoaib to play for Pakistan, but if he again tries to become bigger than the game of cricket or the country, I don’t want him in the team. If mistakes are constantly repeated, they become a habit.

Iqbal Qasim:

The Code of Conduct is made by the PCB and the board uses it when it so desires. If the situation demands leniency, the board softens its stance; and at times it gets harsh. The Code of Conduct should be implemented judiciously.

As far as the Shoaib saga is concerned, we still don’t know the entire matter, that is, what actually happened between him and the PCB behind closed doors. When I was selector, Shoaib was punished; he was fined. He even gave assurance of good behaviour in black and white.

It is a fact that Shoaib is a habitual violator of discipline. No one should think himself above rules and regulations. In spite of all that, I think that the five-year ban should be reviewed because as a fast bowler Shoaib doesn’t have much cricket left in him. The matter should be resolved by neutral judges.

Jalaluddin:

It is beyond doubt that Shoaib is loose cannon. But a five-year ban is too harsh; it can jeopardise Shoaib’s cricket. In my opinion the PCB resorts to double-standard in matters pertaining to discipline. If there is a Code of Conduct available, then everyone should follow it. But if it is only for Shoaib Akhtar, then it is totally wrong.

Whoever violates the Code of Conduct should be punished. If the PCB thinks that by punishing Shoaib Akhtar it will succeed in maintaining discipline in the team, then it should go ahead with it.                                            — M. Wasim