Pakistan shows concern over Aussies sledging
Karachi, Nov 30: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially complained to their Australian counterparts on persistent sledging by its players during three-Test series that concluded recently
01-Dec-1999
Karachi, Nov 30: The Pakistan Cricket Board
(PCB) has officially complained to their
Australian counterparts on persistent sledging
by its players during three-Test series that
concluded recently.
A highly ranking PCB official said on Tuesday
that he has received disturbing reports from
the tour management that Pakistan players were
sledged by the Australian cricketers. "Ricky
Ponting used highly abusive language against
our players, particularly Ijaz Ahmad during
the Perth Test.
"When the team returns on Wednesday, manager
Yawar Saeed will be inquired and a further
protest will be lodged with the ACB," the
official, requesting anonymity, said.
"The International Cricket Council (ICC) will
be duly informed about the Australian players
conduct."
The official said the team management informed
ACB and the ICC match referee John Reid. "But
until now, no action has been taken by either
the match referee or the ACB."
The official went on to say that Reid swiftly
acts when he has anything against the Pakistan
players but fails to justify his duties when
he receives complains against opposing team's
players.
"Don't forget that John Reid's name has
emerged as the man to raise concerns over
Shoaib Akhtar's bowling action," said the
official.
The official minced no words in saying that if
the ACB didn't ensure decent conduct by its
players on the field in the forthcoming
triangular one-day series, "Pakistan will have
to reconsider its options."
"I am not saying that we will pull out of the
triangular, but yes, it is definitely one of
the options available," the official said.
He stressed that he was not trying to defend
the team's disastrous performance in Australia
but questioned how long can a player sustain
sledging.
"Pakistan plays the sport in high spirit but
unfortunately it is not the case with
Australia. Sledging is negative tactics and we
are not the first to accuse Australian of
sledging," the official said.
The Australian players have been involved in a
row over alleged sledging. Shane Warne
reportedly said about Scott Muller: "can't
bowl, can't throw."
Muller, who played in the first two Tests
against Australia, in return bent over stumps
special effects microphones after taking
Sachin Tendulkar's wicket on Sunday and said:
"Six for the game, Warnie."
Meanwhile, chairman of the PCB ad hoc
committee Dr Zafar Altaf dismissed recent
allegation of chucking against Shoaib Akhtar
"as part of Australian tactics before the
start of the one-day series."
"They (media) did it successfully before the
start of the Test series and they have now
started again when the triangular series is
just round the corner," Altaf said from
Islamabad. Altaf added in an irritated tone:
"I have received no report from the ACB or the
ICC."
Altaf questioned the validity of the newspaper
report. "Tell me who asked for the video
footage, who provided them and to whom? The
(Australian) newspapers published a story and
everybody is jumping up and down."