Both PCB and Afridi committed mistakes: Zaheer Abbas

ISLAMABAD: Expressing his concern over the latest controversy between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former ODI and T20 Captain Shahid Afridi, legendary batsman and erstwhile skipper Zaheer Abbas feels that both have committed mistakes.

"Some are saying Afridi is right, while others are saying PCB is right. Frankly, both are wrong," Abbas said in an interview to Gulf News.

"When Afridi made a few mistakes the board did not do anything and let him go. So Afridi went on pushing his luck. Had the board strictly enforced the rule during his very first mistake, the whole incident would not have happened," he added.

Abbas said that discipline in the team should be enforced at all costs. "Any player breaking the law should be punished immediately. He has to be told that he is not above the game. When Afridi chewed the ball and scratched the ball, nothing was done. Then when he was named captain of the Pakistan team at Lord's, he resigned."

"The number of times the board let him go scot-free is many. This sends a wrong message to other players in the team and it also will prove that player power is stronger than the board," he added.

"Any player who has signed the contract must abide by the rules of the contract. It clearly states that you are not supposed to make public statements. If the board does not punish a player who breaks the rules, other players will also take their chances," he said.

Abbas said that the Afridi issue was such a trivial one that it should have been settled in a room. "Once you let such an issue become public then it is trouble and no wonder it has now ended up in court," said Abbas, who was known as the Asian Bradman for his consistent batting.

Talking about Pakistan changing several captains in three years, Abbas said: "Pakistan has not been able to appoint a consistent captain because in every tour one controversy or the other cropped up. "How can a board select a captain for three years when they are not even sure of what will happen in the next tour. We have been struggling to find a strong captain and under the present scenario Misbah Ul Haq seems to be the best option."

However, the erstwhile skipper was confident that Pakistan cricket would tide over the current crisis soon and regain its lost glory. "There is so much talent in Pakistan that the team can come up within a year. The present team is looking fine; the players are trying hard though we are not the strong team we used to be in the past. However the prospects look good. We should keep at least two to three teams ready to represent the nation any time," he said.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011