After coming down real hard on Shoaib Akhtar, it seems that the Pakistan Cricket Board has softened its stance on this issue. In the beginning it was clearly said that the Rawalpindi Expresses would not be allowed to represent Pakistan in any sort of cricket in or outside Pakistan, however later he was allowed to play for the Indian Premier League. It was not enough but on IPL’s disagreement, Shoaib Akhtar was given a unique distinction and charges against him were put aside for a month, strange isn’t it?

The decision was taken under pressure? Although the officials of the cricket board turned down this impression but presence of political personalities in the process and Shoaib Akhtar’s gratitude to political leaders indeed give us a food for thought. Under pressure or not, but the inclusion of Shoaib Akhtar would surely add a lot to the already colourful IPL.

Not only this but the chairman PCB, Dr Nasim Ashraf also withdrew a defamation lawsuit against Shoaib Akhtar after the banned fast bowler made a public apology, and the chairman said Shoaib was forgiven as it was a matter of principle. The chairman is a man of principles as he in the past has resigned “in principle” after the World Cup 2007. I appreciate this gesture of the chairman, but I urge him to also focus on cricket affairs rather than players.

Coming back to the question of Shoaib Akhtar’s return to cricket, doesn’t it give you the impression that Shoaib Akhtar finally has the last laugh? The way screws were tightened around Shoaib Akhtar in the beginning and the way he was let off the hook afterwards, actually says it all.

Shoaib Akhtar has played 46 test matches, 138 ODI and claimed 178 and 219 wicket respectively. He puts in a lot of effort in his deliveries and considering his age one can easily assume that he cant play for a longer period of time as in the past we have seen that express bowlers have only lasted till the age of 33-35 years and few examples are Malcolm Marshall (33 years), Waqar Younis (little over 33 years), Joel Garner (35 years), Geoff Thomson (35 years).

So, considering the age of Shoaib Akhtar and his physique I personally don’t see him with the Pakistani team for a longer period of time anyway. Hence he might call it a day if the ban is not lifted then the cricket festivals like the IPL or ICL would be a very good opportunity for him to accumulate money.

The treatment that was meted out to Shoaib Akhtar has indeed raised eyebrows, and now the board should also take into consideration the players who have been banned for representing the “rebel” Indian Cricket League. What was their crime? There are only playing cricket, and if the chairman can withdraw a defamation suit which was very serious as he was accused of asking money then why can’t the local players in the ICL can be pardoned? For the sake of Pakistan cricket this matter should be taken up seriously.

Finally I would like to touch upon a disturbing news regarding the financial affairs of the PCB. The senate committee summoned Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf however he left for Dubai to see an ICC official and Shafaq Naghmi represented him. Although Senator Enver Baig was skeptical about this trip and claimed that the chairman had actually snubbed the senate committee. The committee also expressed serious concerns about the spending of the PCB. What is the reality only God and the PCB officials know, but don’t we have the right to know the reality?

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