Lahore, Feb. 2 : Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has criticized Shahid Afridi for his shameful act during the fifth and final one-day international against Australia in Perth on Sunday, and said the all-rounder is fortunate to have escaped with just a two-match ban after ball-tampering charges.
“What Afridi did was unacceptable and more worrying is the fact that he was captain when he tried to tamper with the ball. He didn’t do any good service to Pakistan cricket with his actions,”Inzamam said.
“The match referee Ranjan Madugalle has been kind to Afridi, giving him just a two-match ban or else Afridi could have been in bigger trouble,” he added.
Afridi was caught on camera ‘chewing’ the ball during the match following which he was slapped with a two T20 match ban.
Inzamam, one of Pakistan’s most successful captains, said the incident illustrated the falling levels of discipline in the national team and country’s cricket set up.
“I hold the board (Pakistan Cricket Board) responsible for all that is happening. It shows there is a great need to enforce stricter discipline in the team. But the board itself promotes such things by giving unnecessary statements during a tour,” The Daily Times quoted Inzamam, as saying.
He backed beleaguered Mohammed Yousuf, saying the PCB should show confidence in his captaincy.
“Yousuf accepted captaincy at a very difficult time for Pakistan cricket and he has done his best in New Zealand and Australia, where in the past also stronger teams have tasted defeat. I think the board must show confidence in him and give him a fair chance to show his capability as captain,” Inzamam said.
Inzamam, Pakistan most capped player with 120 Tests and 378 ODI appearances, however, criticised Yousuf for requesting the selectors to send ‘out of form’ Younis Khan Down Under for the limited over series.
“Yousuf should never have pushed for Younus to be sent for the Tests or ODIs in Australia as he is not in form. Similarly the selectors showed no vision by first not sending Younus for the Tests and then rushing him into the ODI squad,” he said. (ANI)
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