Imran Khan demands 'undemocratic' PCB's sacking

Lahore, Apr 4 (UNI) Terming the five-year ban on Shoaib Akhtar unjust', former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has demanded the sacking of country's cricket board.

''The tragic incident of banning Akhtar reflects how undemocratically cricket is run in this country and I think this is an ideal time for the new government to fix it,'' Imran told mediapersons yesterday.

Imran also accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Nasim Ashraf of not been able to play his role with efficiency.

He held the president Pervez Musharraf equally responsible for the growing controversies in the game.

He has called for an immediate change in the governing body's selection and the ouster of current PCB officials.

''Musharraf has made Pakistan a banana republic and his appointed chairman of the PCB has made the cricket board a sort of banana republic.

''Pakistan cricket is unique in the sense that the President of Pakistan appoints the cricket chief. Since there is legitimacy in other countries they don't have such problems.

''The cricket chief is involved in everything from selection to touring, but since he has no legitimacy he cannot solve problems. So I demand the new government install a democratically-elected cricket chief as soon as possible,'' he added.

Imran, who led Pakistan to their only World Cup win, said the verdict was unjust and the country reeded Akhtar's services as he is still left with a lot of cricket in him.

''Tell me how many players in world cricket have been banned for five years on discipline charges,'' Imran said.

''Previous incidents of indiscipline should have been dealt with at the time instead of being allowed to accumulate,'' he added.

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