ISLAMABAD - Former Test cricketer and chief selector Abdul Qadir came down hard on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) terming them deaf, dumb and blind and blamed them for hiding actual facts from the entire nation.
In an interview with The Nation, former leg spin magician Qadir said: “The persons sitting at the helm of the PCB affairs are so arrogant that they didn't even bother to reply to the past greats suggestions, then on what grounds they want us to help them. I have great respect for PCB chairman Shaharyar M Khan just because of his age, but I am very surprised the way he failed to handle Moin Khan saga. Sarfraz Nawaz has raised serious allegations over Moin's appointment and it was on record what Moin had done in the ICL, but no heed was paid, instead Moin was given clean chit by the PCB over his alleged involvement in Casino issue.
“Eyewitnesses have confirmed that Moin was very much present there and he was at VIP counter, where only those are allowed who play in excess of $10,000 to $15,000 and they also confirmed that Moin's wife also had hefty amount of chips with her. They also confirmed that we left Casino in the wee hours, but Moin was still there. Were these evidences not enough to seek explanation from Moin? But instead of taking stern action against Moin, he was given clean chit. Sarfraz can't lie and his allegations should have been thoroughly probed, but no one bothered in the PCB to ensure rule of law,” he added.
Qadir said: “I am quite surprised with the unusual silence over the entire saga. If he is not aware of the hidden facts, then at least people around the PM should have told him exact story and he should have taken stern action against the culprits, who are bringing bad name to the country.”
“If Moin was to given clean chit, then why was he recalled from the World Cup, it clearly indicates that the PCB can't exercise powers. It is also surprising that the persons who were responsible for the worst showings in the world cup especially head coach Waqar Younis, who deliberately kept Sarfraz Ahmed out of the playing XI, were not even once questioned by the PCB, so their fair accountability is a far cry,” he said.
Terming Azhar Ali as another Misbah, Qadir said: “On Waqar's suggestion, the PCB found another Misbah in shape of Azhar Ali. If Azhar was good enough to lead the national side, then why he was not picked for the world cup? I am also very amazed that Mushtaq Ahmed was not taken to task, ever since he was appointed as spin bowling coach, Afridi's performance got from bad to worse. Boom Boom had the habit of taking wickets, but in the entire world cup, he just managed to take two wickets and that too against the weak UAE team. What wrong happened with Afridi and what was Muhstaq's role, he must explain.”
“I am quite surprised that either the PCB is not following its own constitution or people sitting inside don’t want to implement rules and regulations. How could on earth a person of 60 plus be picked as chief selector and an 80 plus as chairman. When the PCB constitution bars any role for 60 plus persons, I was expecting an axe on all the seniors and thinking the PCB will now wake up from deep slump and finally select a squad based on youngsters and keeping in mind future of Pakistan cricket, but once again the board lived up to its reputations of passing on incentives and continued with the policy of liking and disliking. Some were given clean chit and some had to face the blunt. On what grounds Hafeez was picked for all formats even though he had yet to clear suspected bowling action, why Sohaib Maqsood was given nod of approval, while Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shahzad were dropped from all three formats. Why domestic cricket top performers Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal were completely ignored,” the ex-great questioned.
“The PCB is being run as personal property and it seems there is no one who may seek answers from the incompetent board officials. I hope Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, who is also patron of PCB, will take strong notice and justice will finally prevail,” Qadir concluded.