Pakistan's former captains Rameez Raja rebuked Mohammad Asif for allegedly carrying contraband drugs.
KARACHI: Pakistan's former captains Rameez Raja on Wednesday rebuked Mohammad Asif for allegedly carrying contraband drugs resulting in his detention at the Dubai airport and said the pacer should "move and act responsibly".
"It is a sad event obviously. I don't know whether he was carrying recreational drugs or whether it was some serious stuff. But at the end of the day, he is a role model and also an icon in Pakistan," Rameez said.
"That is why he has to move and act responsibly and should know how to conduct himself. Obviously, the issue has hurt Pakistan cricket badly," he said.
Rameez said it was unfortunate that whenever Pakistan cricket stabilised, every now and then it was jolted by such unfortunate incidents which are not really required.
He, however, refused to blame the Pakistan Cricket Board for such incidents involving players.
"I am not sure because at the end of the day they all are professional athletes. So it is not the sole responsibility of the Cricket Board to groom them all the time. Some of them are married people and have got responsibilities to the society and themselves," Rameez stated.
"So to a certain extent PCB can be held responsible but at the end of the day it is the cricketer's call as to how he wants to be remembered and how he wants to be known in cricket world. It is a bit of both but I shall put the blame on Asif for this one," the former skipper and now television commentator and expert said.
Another former captain Rashid Latif said the Board should evolve a new code of conduct to deal specifically with such issues.
"I feel bad for Asif but it is a fact this incident has already hurt the image of Pakistan cricket," he said.
Rashid said the Board should have a code under which players should be fined or banned immediately for coming late, nightclubbing, late hours, drinking or drug use.
"There is no need to have any disciplinary committee just take swift action and don't hide things. It would discourage players from indulging in such stupid acts," he said.
Rashid said a lax attitude from the Board had led to an increase in such incidents.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}