PCB may take action against Akmal brothers for violating discipline clause

Lahore, Jan. 13 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may take action against the Akmal brothers for violating the discipline clause of their central contracts, by issuing press statements and taking decisions all by themselves about playing or not in the third Test against Australia.

Wicket-keeper batsman Kamran had declared that he would play the Test despite his poor performance in the second Test in Sydney, which cost Pakistan the match.

Similarly, Kamran’s younger brother Umar had declared himself unfit for the third Test and announced he would not play.

It has been revealed that Umar took this step in protest against the selectors’ decision to drop Kamran, as Umar was declared fit in a medical test.

The Dawn quoted a high PCB official as saying that no player had the authority to give such statements in the press and the PCB would first wait for a report from manager Abdul Raqeeb and then decide any action against them.

Meanwhile, Australian captain Ricky said: It might be in protest. It’s a strange situation. Umar has looked their Pakistan’s second best batsman behind Mohammad Yousuf.

The official said the current situation was giving a gloomy picture of discipline in Pakistan cricket.

He also expressed surprise at Mohammad Yousuf’s statement asking ex-captains to come forward to guide him to improve captaincy, as he already had two former captains in Waqar Younis and head coach Intikhab Alam with him.

How could any other ex-captain guide him when he already has Waqar and Intikhab with him? he questioned.