Afridi vs PCB: No winners in this mess

Via: Pakpassion.net


Whatever the outcome of the Afridi versus PCB battle is, there are no winners irrespective of whatever is decided. People can make it an issue about Karachi against whoever else, people can turn it into a cricketer versus whoever else, people can turn it into a political issue, but sadly the whole affair stinks of the mess that is Pakistan cricket.

Sadly whatever judgment is passed and irrespective of whether Afridi gets his NOC or not, the biggest loser once again is the reputation of Pakistan cricket.

The laughing stock of world cricket and looked upon as a bit of a joke, Pakistan cricket has again given the watching world plenty to look at in amazement and curiousity.

An issue that most Boards and cricketers would have kept in house and discussed behind closed doors, has now become an issue that has divided media, divided fans, the legal profession and divided politicians, when in fact it had nothing to do with any of them.

If the Afridi versus PCB situation had occurred in any test playing nation, it would have been resolved quickly, sharply and with the minimum of fuss. If the player was going to be punished, it would have happened and been dealt with straight away. If the player was not going to be punished, then again the situation would have been sorted out efficiently, diffused quickly and dealt with in house.

I was asked on the radio a few days ago, as to who was to blame for the fiasco. My answer was that it's not about blame, it's about resolving the situation as soon as possible and making sure this sort of thing doesn't happen again.
Personally, and as much as it will upset those that see Afridi as some sort of super hero who can do no wrong, I hold both parties responsible for this farcical situation. Neither are entirely blameless and neither will come out of this smelling of roses, once the dust has settled.

My main gripe with Afridi is that he stated that his father was not well and would not be able to play for Pakistan on the Saturday or Monday in Ireland, yet turned up in England on the Sunday, ready to play a friendly match for Hampshire on the Monday. Now he'd said that he couldn't play for Pakistan, yet was prepared to play for Hampshire, which basically insinuates that he was prepared to put County before Country.

Also Afridi announced his retirement via the media, rather than contacting the PCB, which in my opinion is highly unprofessional and unforgiveable, especially given that he had been appointed captain by this Board for both the one day and test sides in the past. He had been bestowed the ultimate cricketing responsibility by the PCB, a responsibility that all cricketers around the world dream of. He repaid the trust and belief from the Board, with a "slap in the face".
Afridi pleaded guilty to the charges initially, today his legal representatives are trying to tell us that he didn't plead guilty. Now are they trying to insult our intelligence by denying the fact that Afridi pleaded guilty.

One understands the frustration of the PCB especially given that they had backed Afridi in all of his "weaker moments" and various run ins with authority. He was backed by the Board when he decided to eat a cricket ball, he was backed by the Board when he decided to do a jig on the Faisalabad wicket, he was backed by the Board when he decided to retire from the test captaincy after only one test match. Many other Boards would not have left him in charge of the one day side, after the one test retirement.




Now in no way am I saying that the PCB are entirely blameless. They unfortunately have a history of "messing" things up and their man management skills sadly don't appear to be up to the mark.

You only have to look at the list of names and the issues there have been with the current administration to see that their house is not in order.

The NOC revoking was an issue that could have been dealt with in a much better way, after all Afridi is a cricketer who has mostly served the nation with great flair and for a long period of time. To prevent a man from earning his living is harsh.

But as Alec Stewart said on the radio to me today "You can't go around criticising your repsective Board and expect them to ignore it". Whether its the PCB, BCCI, ECB or whoever else, they would not have stood for the very public criticism from any one of their employees.

Its a situation that will upset those cricket fans with a clear mind, with a neutral perspective and those that wish the best for Pakistan cricket. It's a situation that is sad, unfortunate and has predictably turned ugly. It's a situation that those damn politicians are taking full advantage off. Today those politicians that are siding with Afridi would quite easily stab him in the back tomorrow if it meant more votes for them.

Now whatever the outcome is, whether Afridi gets his NOC or he gets a lengthy ban, or a fine, or indeed if the whole situation is brushed under the carpet and forgotten about, Pakistan cricket is the loser and comes out of this mess as a laughing stock once again.