PCB chief leaves players upset

Karachi, May 24 

Senior Pakistani cricketers have taken great umbrage at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan’s remarks that the absence of educated players in the national team has led to the recent poor performances.

Senior batsman Mohammad Hafeez said cricket in itself was a complete education. “I am proud to be a Test cricketer and for me this is my degree,” said Hafeez, in a clear reference to the remarks made by the PCB chairman. Making it obvious that he did not agree with Khan’s views, Hafeez said while education was very important, earning degrees wasn’t the be-all and end-all of it. 

According to media reports, many players attending the boot camp ahead of the England tour are not amused by the PCB chief’s remarks but have decided to keep quiet about it publicly. They will, though, convey their feelings to the authorities.

Talking to the media last Thursday, Khan had said that Misbah-ul-Haq alone was a proper graduate in the current team.

“There is no graduate player in the team right now, except for Misbah. And the absence of educated players in the team is the primary reason for its recent downfall,” he had said. Khan rued the fact that Pakistan had slipped badly in One-day and T20 cricket. “We will do our best in future to induct educated players, besides grooming the existing lot,” Khan said. — PTI