Imran, Akram furious over Inzamam’s decision
by CricketArchive Staff Reporter
DateLine: 21st August 2006
Former Pakistan greats Imran Khan and Wasim Akram tore into
Inzamam-ul-Haq for pulling his team out of the field against England in
the fourth Test at the Oval. They also demanded the sacking of
Australian umpire Darrell Hair who was made out to be the "spoiler''.
Imran ridiculed Inzamam's way of lodging a protest. "Inzamam and the
Pakistan team have made a fool of themselves by not taking the field.
Inzamam has not only brought the game into disrepute but has squandered
a golden opportunity to pull off a consolation victory."
Akram was even more pungent with his comment. "It was a childish
decision. The Pakistan team looked like a street team when they walked
off. If they had any grievances, they should have held a press
conference after the game but should never have left the field. It's
not cricket," he said.
Akram recalled the Grenada incident in the West Indies in 1993 when he
and three others were arrested for constructive possession of
marijuana. "The team wanted to return but we stayed there and let our
lawyers and legal advisors sort things out. Our job was to play cricket
and that's what we did at the point of time," Akram said.
Imran also blasted Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan for
going to the press. "Shaharyar Khan had no business to discuss the
issue with the media. That's the job of the manager. The issue has been
badly handled by the Cricket Board," Imran said.
