No mercy towards players bringing in bad name to Pak: Ashraf

The new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Zaka Ashraf has made it clear that he will deal with an iron hand with players who bring bad name to Pakistan with their illegal and unethical behaviour.

"Since I was appointed Chairman of the board on October 11, people have been calling me up from all over the world and urging me to bring in improvement to Pakistan cricket and the board," he said.

"One thing is clear in my mind I will not tolerate any groupings or monopoly either in the board or in the national team. There is no question of compromise on this issue.

"Secondly, it is a fact that some cricketers have been responsible for bringing a bad name to Pakistan and Pakistanis all over the world and I can only tell those players that they will be dealt with an iron hand and no leniency will be shown to them," he added.

Pakistan's image has taken a beating in the last two years because of the involvement of some players in not only spot-fixing but also in unethical practices.

Ashraf, however, ruled out any immediate changes in the board or national team management.

The successful farmer-cum-businessman has been chosen by President Asif Zardari to head the board and did not give Ijaz Butt an extension after his completion of three-year tenure on October 8.

Ashraf, who will take charge from tomorrow, also said that he would continue to enforce the positive and productive policies of his predecessor Butt but would rectify the failed or wrong policies of the board.

"I will only try to change those policies that didn't benefit either the team or the PCB," he said.

Moin said that the drawn result would only help in raising the spirits of the Sri Lankans who were on the back foot throughout the Test.

"It will improve their (SL's) spirits and they will come harder at Pakistan in the second Test," Moin said.

Akram, however, said that Pakistanis would be high on confidence after dominating for most part of the match.

"I think the confidence of our players would have been boosted despite the drawn result because they dominated the match and they had Sri Lanka under pressure," he said.

Akram said that the effort of the bowlers was brilliant as the pitch was good for batting.

"I said before the series that our bowlers have the capability of taking 20 Sri Lankan wickets, while the islanders do not have the bowlers to do so, especially after the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan and absence of Lasith Malinga."

He said Pakistan had done well in the first Test and critics must understand the team has a new coach and it was the first time the captain and coach were working together and will take time to settle down.

The former capitan said he was happy with Shahid Afridi's decision to return to international cricket and urged him to play the senior's role in the team and help the youngsters and support the captain all the time.