Source: Daily Times

By Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: Sarfraz Nawaz was one of the most talented and controversial players of Pakistan cricket. Considered as pioneer of reverse-swing, Sarfraz, who formed a potent partnership with Imran Khan, was a fearsome and brilliant medium fast bowler of his time. His most prolific spell came in the Melbourne Test of 1979 when he claimed nine wickets in an innings. He dismissed seven batsmen while conceding one run from 33 balls. He was also famous for his idiosyncrasies and mood swings and was involved in a number of fights with his teammates during his career. Sarfraz was the third Pakistani to take 100 Test wickets and score 1000 Test runs.

In an exclusive chat with Daily Times on Wednesday, Sarfraz talked about Pakistan cricket and its future. Sarfraz demanded the removal of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Nasim Ashraf because his polices had destroyed cricket in the country. “Since his appointment, Nasim is playing havoc with Pakistan cricket. He has ruined the game by involving in a number of controversies. He and his cronies are looting the board’s money with both hands,” he alleged. He said Nasim had hired his ‘incompetent friends’ to run the affairs of the board, which was damaging cricket.

It is interesting to note that PCB’s chief financial officer Hasan Ahmad had resigned from his post just days before a sensitive presentation to the newly formed PCB governing body was to be made by him. Hasan was to give a presentation on the financial affairs to the governing body that had raised objections over various matters in its inaugural meeting held on November 9, 2007 in Lahore. The governing body had objected that expenditures in millions of rupees were being shown under ‘other heads’ that provided no details about the nature of expenses made by the PCB.

Sarfraz alleged that the present PCB administration had committed ‘grave’ financial and administrative irregularities. “There must be audit of the PCB accounts by any ‘honest’ company. The truth will come out. There are a number of wrongdoings. There is no transparency in PCB’s financial matters,” he stated. Sarfarz, who played 55 Tests and 45 one-day internationals, blamed that Nasim had also ruined the image of Pakistan in the cricketing playing nations. He said Nasim could not overcome the challenges because his only aim was to visit different countries and ‘enjoy the beaches’. “The names of Nasim and PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Nagmi should be put on the Exit Control List (ECL) as they might try to run away from Pakistan after formation of a new democratic government.” He appealed to political leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif to take action against PCB chief. “Senator Mohammad Enver Baig or Lt Gen (r) Tauqir Zia should be appointed as chairman as they have the abilities to run the PCB affairs in a smooth manner. The PCB governing body should be comprised of former Test players and not ‘personal friends’,” he maintained.

Sarfraz, who claimed 177 Test and 63 ODI wickets, was of the view that the PCB ‘failed miserably’ in convincing the Australian cricket team to tour Pakistan. “PCB tried to put pressure on Australia by offering India to play a three-match ODI series prior to the Australian schedule but the Indian cricket board rejected the request. This was a ‘shameful act’ of the PCB officials who could not manage things properly.” He said Cricket Australia (CA) had already shortened its tour and it might cancel the tour due to non-professional approach of Nasim and Nagmi, who know nothing about cricket.

Replying to a question regarding captain Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz said Malik was not smart enough to lead the national team. “I suggested after the Twenty20 World Cup that Misbahul Haq should be appointed captain of the team. But the PCB did not pay heed to my advice. Their decision to continue with Malik has divided the players. And also Malik is not perfect player for a Test team,” he said. Sarfraz observed that bickering in the playing elevens during the last year’s Indian tour was the result of PCB’s policies. Sarfraz said Pakistan cricket should be run by involving local cricket associations to promote the game. “Academies did not produce any positive results so far and the PCB is spending millions on them,” he added. Sarfraz said the future of Pakistan cricket was bright as the country had so much talent. “Despite some of our team’s poor performances in international arena, I am still optimistic that Pakistan cricket’s future is bright and we can rule the world,” he concluded.

 E-mail this article to a friend

Tags: Melbourne Test of 1979, reverse-swing, Sarfraz Nawaz