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KARACHI: Former Pakistan Test cricketer Zaheer Abbas said on Saturday the Pakistan Cricket Board was encouraging player-power by lifting the ban on players.

He feared the players would not fear any ban in future if the board continued its present attitude.

“Taking a U-turn in only a few months, as in case of lifting the ban on players, reveals that the board banned players without assessing the situation properly,” Zaheer said.

The PCB appeal judge Irfan Qadir had last week removed a one-year ban on Shoaib Malik and also waived off Rs3 million fine on Shahid Afridi. He also reduced the fine of Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal. Finally, the judge on Saturday lifted an indefinite ban on Younis Khan.

Zaheer added that lifting the ban would prompt and encourage player-power and bring the board on its knees and the board would never be able to take action against the players even for some major offences.

“The board has shown its weakness to the players and they would never bother to follow the code of conduct,” Zaheer explained.

He added the board had always remained under pressure and failed to discipline the players.

“Moreover, it sends a negative message to the world that the PCB has no administration and consistency. The board has made itself a laughing-stock by first penalising players and then by waiving off their penalties,” he said.—PPI

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