Former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja said that while the decision is a bold one, he wonders if the timing is right what with the World Twenty20 Championship less than two months away.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to ignore Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan has stirred emotions in the cricket-hungry country. Former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja said that while the decision is a bold one, he wonders if the timing is right what with the World Twenty20 Championship less than two months away.
“Indiscipline, bickering and infighting has been plaguing Pakistan cricket for a while now. The PCB has done the right thing in cracking the whip,” Raja told DNA from Pakistan on Wednesday.
Raja, who was the CEO of the PCB in 2004, said in spite of the reports of infighting, the decision to ignore the two Ys was ‘disconcerting’. “I am fine with the fines but the bans are disconcerting. If the PCB wanted Yousuf and Younus out, there could have been other ways. These two players are giants and the PCB could have spoken to them about how they want to look ahead and what role these senior cricketers can play. Whatever the charges of indiscipline against them, they could have been treated in a better manner,” Raja added.
He also believes that the talent pool isn’t deep enough for Pakistan to do well in Tests without Younus and Yousuf. “It will be difficult to find players even half as good as them simply because the talent at the domestic level isn’t ready for Tests. This decision could have been taken by the PCB at least after the Twenty20 World Cup.”
Former skipper Asif Iqbal believes that Pakistan must try out new talent. “It is better to have eager players giving their best rather than having the best players not giving their best,” Iqbal told this paper from London on Wednesday. “It would be nice if the PCB spells out these instances of indiscipline and infighting as it would help the fans understand why such a tough stand has been taken against senior players. They have performed for Pakistan over many years,” Iqbal added.
“Replacements should be picked from the U19 side which did well in the junior World Cup recently. These players will take time to adjust to international cricket but in the long run it could be beneficial for Pakistan cricket.”
Iqbal hopes that this drive to ensure a better team culture in the dressing room pays dividends. “The country is going through so much turmoil and Pakistan gets to play so little cricket these days that such incidents don’t help. I hope for the players’ sake everything works out well now.”
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