Akram slams PCB on Zulqarnain issue

New Delhi:

Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram slammed the PCB for mismanaging the Zulqarnain Haider controversy and said the inability of the board has left the players insecured and vulnerable.

"I feel that the PCB is not capable of handling Pakistan cricket. It has failed to strike a bond of trust with the players, which has left players insecure and vulnerable.

"There is a lack of direction and leadership in the PCB and the controversies have been a perennial problem with Pakistan cricket," Akram told Mobile ESPN.

Haider sent shock waves across the cricket world when he announced his retirement decision from international cricket yesterday, claiming his life was under threat for refusing to fix matches during the ODI series versus South Africa.

The 24-year-old Haider, who made his Test debut in August earlier this year against England at Edgbaston, fled to London without informing the authorities and seeked political asylum in the UK.

Akram said it was not wise of Haider to flee to London just before the fifth and final ODI versus South Africa.

"It was not wise of Haider to just run away from the situation. He could have handled the situation better. Running away and leaving your country in the lurch is not the solution," he said.

Akram is unhappy that ICC is dictating terms to Pakistan on the composition of the World Cup squad but blamed PCB for proving to be a weak board.

"The PCB is a weak body and has failed to infuse any kind of confidence to the ICC. Hence the ICC has no resort but to intervene and the PCB is forced to obey them," said Akram.

The ICC recently asked PCB not to include spinner Danish Kaneria and wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal in the provisional 2011 World Cup squad until investigations into fixing allegations are over.

Akram hoped Pakistan cricket would overcome the crisis after the recent spate of controversies.

"The talent in this Pakistan side is amazing and I hope they get over this bad phase and come out a stronger unit," said Akram.