Legendary Zaheer fears for Pakistan cricket

Former captain Zaheer Abbas said Tuesday he feared for the future of cricket in Pakistan, saying bad administration had led the sport towards disaster.

"Win or lose are part and parcel of the game, but I fear for Pakistan cricket because the manner in which matters like transformation of the team have been handled, we are heading towards a disaster," Abbas told AFP.

His reaction came a day after Pakistan slumped to a nine-wicket defeat against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham -- their second loss following a crushing 354-run mauling in the first Test at Nottingham.

The victory on Monday gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test series.

Abbas said "knee-jerk" reactions by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) administration have been bothering fans and players alike.

"Decisions taken in a haphazard manner have been bothering and the state of Pakistan cricket is deplorable. The main culprit is the administration which should be changed immediately," said Abbas, who played 78 Tests for Pakistan.

"How far this can go? Cricket is a passion in Pakistan and people are getting disheartened by the poor administration of the game."

Abbas criticised senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf's recall.

"Yousuf announced his retirement and suddenly he was sent to England. How come Yousuf is in the team now and Younus Khan not selected, this is different set of rules for two players," he said.

Both Younus and Yousuf were handed an indefinite ban by the PCB earlier this year after Pakistan's winless tour of Australia. Younus had his ban overturned on appeal, while Yousuf did not appeal and announced his retirement in protest.

However, the PCB recalled Yousuf but did not clear Younus. PCB lawyer Taffazul Rizvi last week said Yousuf's recall was legal, while Younus would have to complete the legal process with the PCB before he could be recalled.

Abbas said the administration failed to handle the matters.

"Where was the team management and the administration when seven, eight players took oath on the holy book (the Koran) and revolted against the captaincy of Younus," said Abbas of the infighting in the team before and after the Australia tour between November and February.

"Younus should have been sent to England so that a mixture of youth and seniors would have guided this team. These young players are Pakistan's future, but I am sorry their handling is very poor," said Abbas.

Fellow former captain Aamir Sohail said Pakistan team management failed in the England series.

"Pakistan should have adopted an aggressive approach when they were defending 118, they should have opened the bowling with off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, but I must say they failed," said Sohail.

"The Board management and coaching staff are not doing their jobs properly."

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