Pakistan bowling legend Wasim Akram accused Australia of having “double standards” on security and said they must tour Pakistan to play September’s Champions Trophy.
More cricket
ICC grapples with India’s T20 millions
Players from Australia, New Zealand and England have raised concerns over security in the troubled Islamic republic despite an all-clear from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“I think the Australians have double standards,” Wasim told AFP.
“They played in England despite blasts in London in 2005 and four Australians were willing to play in India despite blasts in Jaipur last month.”
The ICC board in a meeting starting on June 29 in Dubai will discuss an independent security assessment on the situation in Pakistan before taking a final decision on the Champions Trophy.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting last week said his side and others still had security concerns about Pakistan, and Australia were undecided about competing in the Champions Trophy.
Australia earlier this year postponed a Test and one-day tour of Pakistan over security fears sparked in the wake of a series of blasts — a decision Wasim believed was justified.
“I was in Australia at that time and backed their decision because the news we were getting at that time was not conducive for cricket, but nothing is happening now and they themselves rescheduled the tour after getting assurances,” said Wasim, who played 104 Tests for Pakistan.
Australia set new dates for a one-day tour in 2009 and a Test tour in 2010 following an improvement in security after February’s general elections in Pakistan.
Wasim accused the Australians of influencing other nations to boycott September’s Champions Trophy.
“How can they create an opinion by sitting there in Australia? They said they don’t want to come and (are) also trying to influence other teams. I am sorry, they are willing to play anywhere if they get money,” he said.
Wasim said if Australia do not turn up, they should be fined by the ICC and action should be taken against them.
The Pakistan Cricket Board last week said it had made arrangements normally reserved for heads of state for the Trophy.
Wasim also lashed out at Tim May, the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, for generating doubts over security in Pakistan.
Wasim said the Asian bloc, especially India, must support Pakistan.
“India have been supportive to Pakistan’s cause, they have sent a team for the (ongoing) Asia Cup, so Asia must devise a system to help Pakistan and ensure that the Trophy is held here,” he said.
“Pakistan cannot afford teams pulling out at the last minute, it will destroy Pakistan cricket.”
TROUBLE IN THE WINDIES
Crowd problems on recent Australian tours of the CaribbeanFifth ODI, April 1999, Georgetown, Guyana
English umpire Raman Subba Row declares the match a tie an hour after the final ball when a pitch invasion prevents West Indies batsmen Keith Arthurton from affecting a run out and Australian pair Steve Waugh and Shane Warne completing the tieing run. Waugh is pushed and shoved by the crowd, afterwards saying he feared a Monica Seles-style stabbing on the cricket field.Seventh ODI, April 1999, Bridgetown, Barbados
Waugh re-instates Sherwin Campbell following a run-out which sparked a riot and saw a thrown bottle just miss the head of Waugh as his team ran from the field. Waugh said he agreed to re-instate Campbell, who was run out after a mid-pitch collision with bowler Brendon Julian, after local police advised him that his players’ safety could not be guaranteed. Windies win to level the series 3-3.First ODI, June 2008, Kingstown, St Vincent
Angry fans hurl plastic bottles on the field after confusion surrounds the dismissal of Windies allrounder Darren Sammy following a couple of contentious LBW calls against Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo. Play is suspended for more than 10 minutes, with James Hopes, the only Australian player left in the outfield, running to the centre of the pitch at the first sight of unrest.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
Australian fast bowling great Jason Gillespie has been named head coach of Pakistan's Test team, as the nation overhauls its coaching department ahead of…
Will Jacks got RCB past the 200 target set by Gujarat with four overs to spare.
With Rajasthan needing 25 off 17, both batsmen ended up at the same end but the bowler dropped the throw from his teammate -…
A six-laden, 27-ball 84 from Jake Fraser-McGurk to continue his outrageous debut IPL!
Johnny Bairstow has hit his way back into form with a 45-ball century as he steered his side to a record-breaking win, easily chasing…
It seems franchise cricket has forgotten about the great battle between bat and ball. In fact, this season in the IPL there is no battle at all.
