PCB bans Akhtar For Five Years But Politicians, Former Cricketers Rally Behind The Fast Bowler

IT WAS indeed a sad day for Pakistan cricket and for mercurial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar. In the afternoon there was speculation that Akhtar will be let off with a heavy fine and a ban of three matches and no one expected this extreme a step.

In fact, if sources are to be believed, the disciplinary committee had given three options to the board — a three one-day ban and fine of 0.8 million rupees, ban of two years and a ban of five years. The PCB took the last option.

However, the black clouds hovering low on Akhtar’s career, can turn blue if the new political set up takes this matter. With a member national assembly already showing a lifeline by saying they would take the matter in the parilament asap.

POLITICAL INTERVENTION

“ALL THOSE who have targeted Akhtar would be sacked and the matter will be raised in the national assembly,” said Muslim League (N) MNA Haneef Abbasi.

Good news for embattled Akhtar. More so is the fact that the new sports minister Khawaja Asif is also a great fan of Akhtar and is a member of Muslim League (N). It remains to be seen how urgently the matter is raised as the new government is already embroiled in bigger issues like terrorism, unrest and, above all, inflation.

Akhtar also has support in the shape of former greats who have rallied behind him. His early coach Sarfraz Nawaz said he will meet new prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani on urget basis.

“I will meet Gillani, Zardari and Nawaz Sharif and want to help Akhtar on this unjust ban,” said Nawaz, who also predicted the disbandment of the PCB in few days.

STRONG LEGAL GROUNDS

ANOTHER DIE-HARD Akhtar fan, Rashid Latif cursed the fate of Pakistan cricket. “You gave pride of performance to those who sold the country (match fixing), and ban those who win matches for you,” said Latif.

Akhtar is also strong on legal grounds as expert of the court believe he can win the appeal, and if not, he can knock the court’s door.

“When Akhtar did not accept retainer’s contract, then how can he be banned,” asked a top lawyer. “You cannot ban a person who is not employed by you.”

PARTIAL PCB

PCB’S PARTIALITY was also questioned in the case as two of the three members in the disciplinary committee were PCB officials. Among them was Shafqat Naghmi, CCO PCB who has always been vocal against Akhtar.

Former Test bowler Zakir Khan, director operations in the PCB, had verbal confrontation with Akhtar on various occasions and had a tiff in the corridors of the PCB headquarters last year.

The third man in the committee was Nadeem Akram, manager human resources PCB, who was reportedly found inebriated in a hotel after Zimbabwe’s match in February.

Luckily, or it too may turn the other way, Akhtar is allowed to play in the IPL. Perhaps the support Lalit Modi gave to Akhtar paid off. It is now up to the BCCI to allow Akhtar to play or decide against it.