Sat, Oct 09 10 09:07 PM
New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) Former Test captain Aamir Sohail has made a fervent appeal to the Pakistan government to step in and check the deteriorating state of affairs in cricket in the country. In a candid criticism of the government for its failure to check the decline in Pakistan cricket, Sohail said on Geo TV that the chief patron, President Asif Zardari need to seriously take steps to resolve the cricket crisis. An emotionally charged Sohail said that he was surprised that the government had so far not realized the significance and important of cricket as a tool to unify the Pakistani nation. "The government must realise it is not just a sport in Pakistan a country where they are so many religious, political and other divisions. A country where people are facing so many crises and problems. The government must realise cricket has always served as a unifying factor in this country," he said. The former chief selector who has been a vocal critic of the present board set-up and its Chairman, Ijaz Butt for their failure to run cricket affairs properly said that cricket was being damaged beyond repair in the country. "The chief patron must wake up to the reality and the seriousness of the crisis. Good governance is all about recognising the potential of cricket to unify the people and give them so happiness and joy in their lives," he said. "I am really surprised that a seasoned political party like the Pakistan Peoples Party has still not realised that things are not moving forward with this present set up and Chairman," he said. He pointed out that the PCB Chairman was causing untold damage to Pakistan cricket by continuing to be involved in an ego tussle with former captain Younus Khan. "For no rhyme or reason Ijaz Butt refuses to give clearance for Younus to be in the Pakistan team. If Younus has committed a major crime or indiscipline then it is the duty of the board to let the people know so that this Younus Khan chapter is closed once for all," he said. Sohail said that the chief patron needed to take time out of his busy schedule and give importance to cricket affairs. "I think enough is enough I don''t think any former chairman of the board has faced so many criticism and opposition for his manner of running cricket affairs and yet the government appears to be blind to the popular public opinion even though preaches democracy," he said.
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