Imran Khan voices concerns over Pakistan cricket
By Shahid A. Hashmi
1 January 1999
LAHORE, Jan 1 (AFP) - Star cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan on
Friday called for serious planning to reinvigorate Pakistan cricket
before the all-important tour of India and the 1999 World Cup.
``It is time now to do sensible thinking and repair the damage done to
Pakistan cricket,'' Khan said.
The Pakistan team ``cannot afford any more change in the captaincy or
else the World Cup becomes disastrous for Pakistan,'' the former
Pakistan captain told AFP in an interiew.
Imran backed Wasim Akram and Moin Khan for leadership.
``Both are complete team men and have been very inspiring for the
team. It is time now we focus on a squad of 20 players and start
preparations for the World Cup.
``I have the highest regard for Wasim and it is a pity that he is
embroiled in this controversy (over match-fixing). Wasim has always
played for the country,'' Khan said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board Council is due to meet on Sunday to decide
who should lead the team on the India tour starting late January.
``Indian tour has always been different because of the immense pressure
on the players but this time it will be lot easier due to neutral
umpires,'' Khan said.
Khan achieved the only series win for Pakistan on Indian soil when he
led them to a 1-0 win in 1987. Pakistan have not toured India since
then due to political tension between the two countries.
``People in India keenly follow the game and have the knowledge. The
atmosphere there is simply exhilarating,'' he said.
Khan, who retired from the game after leading Pakistan to victory in
the last World Cup, is now active in national politics at the head of
his Movement for Justice party which unsuccessfully contested the 1997
elections.
He has also devoted time to looking after his charity Cancer Hospital
in Lahore, but keeps abreast of cricket developments.
The cricket hero visited the Pakistan camp last month to give tips to
some rising fast bowlers.
On Pakistan's recent series losses against Australia and Zimbabwe he
said: ``There was obvious lack of team spirit and every player was
playing for himself plus the pressure of the inquiry affected players'
performances.''
Khan said the inquiry should be completed as soon as possible to
release that pressure.
``The inquiry should have been held in 1994 and now the delay has been
destroying Pakistan cricket,'' he said.
Khan appeared in November before the judicial commission investigating
allegations of match fixing and betting, telling it that ``match-fixing
existed in Pakistan cricket but not to the extent it is made out to be
by some people.''
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