KARACHI, Oct 1: Former Pakistan captains Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja have blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) poor management for the spot-fixing scandal that surrounded the team during their recently concluded tour of England.

Wasim, a pace bowling legend, said there was lack of leadership in the board, adding he would not blame the players for the mess they find themselves in. “I don't see lack of leadership in the national team but [it is] in the cricket board,” he stated.

The 104-Test veteran pointed out that knowing how tough a tour to England was, the PCB should have been prepared for any eventuality and told the team management to be ready for such a situation.Wasim, however, praised limited-overs skipper Shahid Afridi, saying he had proven himself to be a good leader by picking up the team in very trying circumstances. “He raised the team's morale when the English media was after us and he did a good job of it,” Wasim said.

Ramiz also said that whenever Pakistan toured England, there were controversies created by the media, insisting the board and team management should have educated the players about how to be prepared for such situations.

“Unfortunately, the opponents of Pakistan cricket had been waiting for a long time for a controversy like spot-fixing to come about and they are now taking full advantage of it in trying to damage our cricket,” he said.

Ramiz also lauded Afridi for improving the dressing room atmosphere and lifting the team to do their best for the country in very difficult circumstances during the five-match ODI series.

Meanwhile, former Test captain and senior batsman Younis Khan said the western media wanted to give the impression that the future of Pakistan cricket was bleak.

“They don't realise this, but Pakistan cricket's future is bright but the PCB also has to take steps to ensure that people don't lose interest in the sport like it has happened with other sports,” Younis said.—Agencies