Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad said on Thursday gambling, coupled with lack of accountability and the absence of a proper system have deteriorated all sports in Pakistan, including cricket.
“In our days there was no match fixing and neither did I ever gamble or else I wouldn’t have gotten the respect I have today from the masses. But definitely gamblers and gambling is bad for Pakistan cricket,” said Miandad, while talking to a local TV channel as quoted by Press Trust of India.
Miandad, who has a reputation of being incorruptible, was removed from the position of head coach in 1999 after he confronted certain players about their gambling activities in Sharjah. Following the incident, players revolted against his leadership and he was axed from the position.
Mianded elaborated that Pakistan cricket is infested with other problems too such as politics, inadequate individuals running cricketing affairs and absence of a permanent system.
“I don’t think Shaharyar Khan is the right choice for the chairman’s position. He is a cricket enthusiast but does not understand the nitty gritty of the sport. Even Najam Sethi was not a good choice,” he added.
“In my opinion Lt General (retd) Tauqir Zia and Ijaz Butt were right for the chairman’s post,” said Miandad, while recalling the list of people, who have headed the Pakistan Cricket Board in the last decade.
The celebrated cricketer also spoke about his former teammate, Imran Khan, saying that even though Khan is a good choice to head the PCB, his involvement in politics does not leave any time for cricket.
“I don’t think even Imran can head the board as he is so busy with politics.”
Miandad pointed out that there was a need to have a permanent and effective cricket system in the country, which should work regardless of who was in charge of the board.
“Unfortunately in Pakistan there is no proper system and whoever heads the board, the system runs according to his whims and fancies,” he upheld.
