Time for a compromise, says Younis

Younis Khan, the Pakistan batsman, has called for a truce in the row between the PCB and fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

The Pakistan board had banned Shoaib for five years on grounds on indiscipline. Following the ban, Shoaib hit out against the PCB, and said he would appeal against the ban. However, his comments to a TV channel resulted in board chairman Nasim Ashraf serving a legal notice on him, seeking damages for defamation.

"I think the matter has gone too far. This whole issue is damaging for Pakistan cricket so I hope a compromise is reached," Younis said. "Of course he is my friend, my senior and I have played alongside him for years, so my sympathies are with him.

"I think the player [Akhtar] must think about his problems and the board must talk to him and solve this matter."

Akhtar had been permitted by the PCB to play in the Indian Premier League [IPL], but the organisers of the league subsequently barred his participation.

Younis said Pakistan could afford to do without such controversies. "We have too many issues in Pakistan cricket. Teams are not coming to Pakistan [due to security fears] and issues like Akhtar's will further hit Pakistan cricket."

Australia pulled out of their scheduled tour to Pakistan in March-April over security concerns, and the tight schedules of other international teams, besides the inaugural edition of the IPL, leaves Pakistan with only Bangladesh to visit for five ODIs in April.