Injury-prone Akram to replace unfit Razzaq: Nasim quits advisory council

Former Test allrounder Nasim-ul-Ghani on Sunday resigned from the five-man advisory council of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Director of the PCB, Brig Munawwar Rana, confirmed Ghani's resignation but the former Test left-hander denied that he had quit in protest.

"In the last few months, I have not been able to contribute much. I will, however, continue to do look after umpires coaching assignment given to me by the board on honorary basis," Ghani said.

The PCB were quick to induct another former Test batsman Waqar Hasan in its panel. Nasim was not truly involved in day-to-day affairs of the board and at times was not even invited for the board meetings.

The PCB also confirmed that allrounder Abdur Razzaq would be returning because of kidney infection. He has been replaced by paceman Mohammad Akram who missed both the opening round matches of the Patron's Trophy due to injuries.

Akram's selection once again leaves a question mark on the wisdom of the selectors as far as their choice of replacements is concerned. Need not to say that Akram is one of the most injury-prone players which are already in plenty.

While Fazl-e-Akbar is already in New Zealand, the need of the hour was an opener. But strange are the working ways of the selectors. They sent five openers for the one-day series but refuse to add one more to the current two for the Test series.

These mindboggling decisions have probably not impressed and convinced Sikander Bakht who, according to sources, has already submitted his resignation. The PCB admitted that more organizational changes will take place which will only be announced later but refused to confirm or deny the story revolving the former Test pacer.

In January, Ehteshamuddin and Iqbal Qasim were removed from the selection panel but Wasim Bari was retained as chairman of the selectors. But maybe this time, he might not be as lucky to retain his current post.

The PCB, after a two-day advisory panel meeting, also decided to revise the pay structure of the national team players. According to the proposal, which was given the go-ahead, performance oriented play scale will be drawn. England are already experimenting this structure which was approved after a big hue and cry by the senior members of the team.

The PCB also decided to hire the services of South African Jonty Rhodes as fielding coach for the cricket academy. The board said they were in constant touch with their counterparts and would release further details as soon as things moved forward.

While the PCB expressed concern and disappointment at the large number of injuries to the players on the tour to New Zealand, there was no mention if the people incharge were grilled and taken to task. The PCB, it may be recalled, had appointed a six-man panel of specialists under whose supervision the players remained for two weeks to six weeks.

The PCB, however, heaved a sigh of relief after the youngsters came good in the first Test against New Zealand. It was, nevertheless, not confirmed if that was the step forward in saying good bye to the senior and unfit players.