PCB distances itself from Akhtar`s controversial book

Lahore: The PCB has distanced itself from Pakistan cricket`s enfant terrible Shoaib Akhtar, who hit the headlines on Friday for his controversial autobiography, saying the retired pacer was no longer associated with the board and was free to do whatever he wants.

In his autobiography, "Controversially Yours", which was released in New Delhi today, apart from slamming the PCB, Akhtar has also questioned the abilities of two of cricket`s greatest batsmen -- Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

Even though the PCB preferred to stay clear of the controversy, it said that being a former Pakistan cricketer Akhtar should atleast "behave rationally".

"Shoaib (Akhtar) is a retired player so we have no say on what he does. We have not seen or read the book as yet so we don`t know what the real facts are," PCB chief operating officer said Subhan Ahmad.

"But obviously, some of the things he said today are a bit surprising but the fact also is that Shoaib is no longer employed by the board and is free to do whatever he wants. But having played for the country we would except him to behave rationally," he added.

In his autobiography, Akhtar had claimed that Tendulkar and Dravid, who have scored 56,000 runs between them in Tests and ODIs, don`t know "the art of finishing the game".

He also criticised the PCB in the book and held the board responsible for all the ills in Pakistan cricket.

In the book, Akhtar has also insisted that action should be taken against PCB for ignoring the match-fixing scandal.

"He has a right to his opinion but if we find anything slanderous in the book about the board we will decide our future course of action," the PCB official said.

"As far as the fixing controversy is concerned I think our actions speak for themselves. As far as the ball tampering issue is concerned the board for the last few years had already taken stringent measures to deal with this problem in domestic cricket," Ahmad said.

The PCB official said every player had a right to write his autobiography but hoped it would not damage the image of Pakistan cricket.

Akhtar had announced his retirement from international cricket during the this year`s ICC World Cup.

PTI

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Sanjay Dixit distances himself from RCA affairs

Jaipur: The secretary of the Rajasthan Cricket Association Sanjay Dixit has distanced himself from the day to day affairs of the body due to the infighting going on for quite some time and the imminent threat of the Irani Trophy match being taken away from Jaipur.

Though Dixit has not resigned from his post but he has declared that he would hand over the lock and key of the RCA office to the government.

It may be recalled that the power tussle going on between Sanjay Dixit faction and president C P Joshi faction had resulted in RCA office being under double lock since July 30th.

Dixit was finding himself cornered against the might of C P Joshi and had virtually no other option left other than to bow out. In a press statement, Dixit said that he was pained to learn that the prestigious Irani Trophy might be taken away from Jaipur.

"I have been deeply pained to learn about the reports about Irani Trophy venue being considered for shifting. I have personally worked very hard to bring glory and laurels to Rajasthan and by God`s grace and everyone`s contribution all around we managed to win the Ranji Trophy after 77 long years.”

"That this achievement has not united the RCA causes deep regret and the persons primarily responsible for this achievement, such as the Senior Selection Committee, Mr Tarak Sinha, the professionals are not being given due credit is sad, to say the least," he stated.

He said that it is in the interest of cricket in the state that he has decided to hand over the keys to the government.

"In the interest of cricket, I have decided to hand over the locks and keys to the Government and requested them to take necessary action in helping cricket run normally. In the interest of game and players, I am personally dissociating myself from running the Association actively," he was quoted as saying in the release.

Dixit however clarified that he is not at all resigning.

"I must clarify that I am not resigning and would keep the endeavour for restoring my dignity going. However, I shall now take a back seat in running the Association for the president," he added.

"Though there have been differences over the past few months with him, I must also thank the President in having given me a free hand in running the Association for the better part of the past two years," he concluded.

PTI

First Published: Saturday, September 10, 2011, 00:32

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