Pakistan Cricket: On the Ropes

Pakistan sure is the worldwide center of intrigue right now. Osama bin Laden is hiding out somewhere in the tribal badlands, the Pakistani Taliban are training American citizens to attack their own homeland, and Pakistani cricketers are the subject of police investigations on conspiracy to defraud bookmakers. Busy little fellows aren't they? Oh yes, I almost forgot, the chairman of their cricket council may also be telling porkies!

The recent Test series between England and Pakistan has been overshadowed by claims that bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir deliberately bowled no-balls after an undercover journalist paid money to a middle man.The duo, along with captain Salman Butt, played no part in the following one-day series and have been provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council ahead of a hearing into the claims.

After all this drama it was reported in the cricket media that there was a very real prospect of expelling the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt as an ICC director. This shows just how thin the ice that the Pakistan cricket board was and still is skating on. Well-placed observers vary on the degree of the threat but some believe Butt was compelled to accept a series of wide-ranging reforms to Pakistan cricket without protest because the alternative would have been to face expulsion.

The biggest tragedy is to the game of cricket and the millions of fans the world over. The security situation in Pakistan has forced the cricket world to by pass the country to keep both players and spectators safe. This was especially so after the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009. I have had the greatest pleasure watching the Pakistani's play, both in New Zealand and Australia. My biggest thrill was seeing opening bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis throwing their thunderbolts at opposing batsmen.

I am not sure when these ignominious goings-on will cease and Pakistan get back to its rightful place amongst the best of cricketing nations. But the actions of some of their players are not helping their cause in any way. Ijaz Butt, in my opinion, needs to be replaced by someone with more stature and better leadership. Imran Khan would be great in the role as chairman. The sooner the better.