PCB stand by crackdown

Cricket board defends harsh punishments

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 15th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

PCB stand by crackdown

Yousuf: Banned by PCB

I don't know on what basis the board has taken such strong action against these players.

Abdul Raquib
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The Pakistan Cricket Board have defended the heavy sanctions it handed down against seven players, despite team manager Abdul Raquib denying he had complained about indiscipline.

The PCB banned former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan indefinitely, suspended another former skipper, Shoaib Malik, and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul Hasan for one year and hit wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, his brother Umar and Shahid Afridi with heavy fines last week.

The reprimands were based on the recommendations of an inquiry committee which was formed to examine the reasons for Pakistan's poor display during the recent tours of New Zealand and Australia.

Raquib, who was among those who had deposed before the panel, revealed he was mystified by the harsh punishments.

"I never reported Mohammad Yousuf, Younus Khan, Shoaib Malik, Rana Naved or Kamran Akmal for any disciplinary problems in my tour report," Raquib told Geo Super.

"I don't know on what basis the board has taken such strong action against these players but it seems to me that the board is perhaps settling personal scores or simply taking out their frustration on these players."

The PCB, however, has refuted Raquib's claims and insists that his testimony provided the basis for much of the action taken against the players.

Disappointing

"It is disappointing to note that Mr Raquib has chosen to deny what is already well recorded and documented," said the PCB in a statement.

"Raquib had stated in his manager's report that when Younus Khan decided to drop Mohammad Yousuf for the second ODI against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, it led to a series of events that ultimately forced Younus Khan to resign.

"Raquib's tour report clearly mentioned that when Yousuf was told he was dropped on account of his poor fielding Yousuf curtly replied 'I have been fielding like this for the last seven years'.

"He publicly argued with the team coach and the resulting disquiet in the team led to the dropping of Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal.

"Raquib stated that it was in the backdrop of these events that team unity completely broke down and eventually Younus resigned from the captaincy.

"Raquib has also admitted that he was unable to take any corrective action and remained totally helpless to arrest the sharply falling team morale in during these events."

The PCB have refused to reveal the contents of the inquiry committee's report, but said Raquib had repeated the complaints he made in the tour report to the committee.