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Penalised Aus for double standards: Inzy
Former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul Haq said the governing body's inaction was encouraging teams to violate tour commitments at will.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: September 20, 2008 06:11 PM IST
Read Time: 2 min
Karachi:
Inzamam felt Australia should be penalised for refusing to tour Pakistan on security grounds while agreeing to play in India despite serial blasts.
"Australia has been the only country which has refused to tour Pakistan steadfastly. And I don't think this is going to change unless other cricket boards and the ICC do something about it," Inzamam said.
The burly right-hander, who is currently with the rebel Indian Cricket League, said the ICC's inaction is the only reason why Aussies have brazenly violated tour commitments in Pakistan.
"I would think the ICC must take the blame for not being strong enough in reigning in sides that continue to pick and choose their tours," Inzamam said.
"What message have Australia sent out to us or the rest of the cricketing world by agreeing to play in India although they have also had terrorist bomb blasts there in cities where the Australians play Test matches," he asked.
The former captain said another tour cancellation by an international side would spell doom for Pakistan cricket and it was important that the ICC backs his country in such a situation.
"I don't think Pakistan cricket can afford to have another tour postponed or cancelled on security grounds. It would be a big setback for our cricket," Inzamam said.
"I don't think there is anything wrong with our security arrangements and in Pakistan people want to see touring teams play they are passionate about good cricket," he added.
Inzamam also blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board for not doing enough to have the Champions Trophy at home. He said the PCB needed to be more firm and put its foot down against a postponement.
"We need to stop being apologetic for our cricket and security," he added.
Inzamam also called on the new Board, expected to be announced soon, to lift the domestic cricket ban on those players who have signed up with the ICL.
"I think the Sri Lankan cricket authorities have taken a fair step by allowing their ICL players to appear in domestic cricket and other countries should follow suit. Pakistan must also lift this unwarranted ban on us," said Inzamam one of the first signings of the ICL.
Inzamam, who leads the Lahore Badshahs team in the ICL, said the players will go to India on October 6 to start training for the next season of the league.
Lashing out at the ICC for being a mute spectator to Australia's "double standards" on security, former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul Haq said the governing body's inaction was encouraging teams to violate tour commitments at will.Inzamam felt Australia should be penalised for refusing to tour Pakistan on security grounds while agreeing to play in India despite serial blasts.
"Australia has been the only country which has refused to tour Pakistan steadfastly. And I don't think this is going to change unless other cricket boards and the ICC do something about it," Inzamam said.
The burly right-hander, who is currently with the rebel Indian Cricket League, said the ICC's inaction is the only reason why Aussies have brazenly violated tour commitments in Pakistan.
"I would think the ICC must take the blame for not being strong enough in reigning in sides that continue to pick and choose their tours," Inzamam said.
"What message have Australia sent out to us or the rest of the cricketing world by agreeing to play in India although they have also had terrorist bomb blasts there in cities where the Australians play Test matches," he asked.
The former captain said another tour cancellation by an international side would spell doom for Pakistan cricket and it was important that the ICC backs his country in such a situation.
"I don't think Pakistan cricket can afford to have another tour postponed or cancelled on security grounds. It would be a big setback for our cricket," Inzamam said.
"I don't think there is anything wrong with our security arrangements and in Pakistan people want to see touring teams play they are passionate about good cricket," he added.
Inzamam also blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board for not doing enough to have the Champions Trophy at home. He said the PCB needed to be more firm and put its foot down against a postponement.
"We need to stop being apologetic for our cricket and security," he added.
Inzamam also called on the new Board, expected to be announced soon, to lift the domestic cricket ban on those players who have signed up with the ICL.
"I think the Sri Lankan cricket authorities have taken a fair step by allowing their ICL players to appear in domestic cricket and other countries should follow suit. Pakistan must also lift this unwarranted ban on us," said Inzamam one of the first signings of the ICL.
Inzamam, who leads the Lahore Badshahs team in the ICL, said the players will go to India on October 6 to start training for the next season of the league.
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