Veteran Pakistani batsman Younus Khan, who led the team to the only World Twenty20 title, was angry on Sunday after he was not invited to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) launch ceremony by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Younus, while talking to a local sports channel, complained: “I was not invited for the ceremony. They ignored my accomplishments for Pakistan and my achievements in T20 cricket. The PSL launch ceremony was without some of the greats like Javed Miandad and Imran Khan. Even the former heads of the board, Ijaz Butt, Khalid Mehmood, Tauqir Zia and Zaka Ashraf, who are based in Lahore were absent from the ceremony. Former captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif said that PCB’s treatment of former players was not good. The PCB management seems confused under the leadership of its Chairman Shaharyar Khan, whose role is no less than a right hand of Mr Najam Sethi. The poor management of the event showed that the PCB is working under an immature administration. Not only former greats, the current players were also sidelined in the event while actors and models were given more importance. Priorities are being set on the basis of personal likes and dislikes. If the game of cricket is not saved from such partisan favouritism, it might face further decline. Cricket is already facing a downward slide due to our poor domestic structure and isolation from the rest of the cricket playing nations and now such ridiculous policies would further demoralise talented players. Unfortunately in Pakistan, veteran players are not given due respect and dignity, which they deserve for their contribution to the country’s cricket. The PCB has committed a blunder by not inviting some of the greats. At the same time, certain comments by former players are unnecessary. Wasim Akram’s advice to Younas Khan to only focus on Test cricket is uncalled for. He should refrain from giving such advice to a senior player. Younus has befittingly cautioned Wasim to mind his own business and not advise him about his career. Former players should refrain from making irresponsible statements. It has become a norm in Pakistan that senior players are humiliated at the end of their careers.
pk.shafaqna.com
