Wasim urges PCB to make a biometric lab

ISLAMABAD: Former cricket stars on Tuesday urged the cricket authorities in the country to arrange for early checking of suspect bowling actions by spinners after a third Pakistani off-spinner, Bilal Asif, was reported for this offence in the series-winning match against Zimbabwe.

Former Captain Wasim Akram even urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to set up a biometric laboratory as soon as possible so the national bowlers with suspect bowling action can be tested and corrected there.

Talking to a private news channel, Wasim said, the PCB had been working to construct a biometric laboratory from "our times but I don't know why it got delayed that much".

"I don't know whether the PCB has the required money to go on with the laboratory or not," he said adding if the lab gets constructed it will help the spinner a lot.

Former captain Rameez Raja said whenever this type of incident occurs the reputation of the country and the career of the bowler is put at stake. "The biometric laboratory should be set up as soon as possible," he said.

Rameez said "we should have done something after the incidents involving Saeed Ajmal and Muhammad Hafeez took place. I cannot understand why bowlers with suspect action are not being checked in the domestic cricket," he said adding it is the duty of the coaching staff to see these types of issues.

Former fast bowler Sikandar Bakht said are the national coaches, selectors and umpires blind-folded who cannot see and report these types of bowlers beforehand. "The PCB is wasting its time on such irresponsible staff that can't see to these bowlers," he said. Bakht said the PCB Chairman should question its staff for such carelessness.

Former Test cricketer Mohammad Yousaf lashed out at the PCB saying that in the PCB only nepotism and "Sifarish" have become hallmark of the organization. "Why doesn't the PCB involve Saqlain Mushtaq with them to check the suspect bowling actions," he said.

He said there is no better man than Saqlain on this regard and the PCB must include him in this.