‘Elements within PCB working against interest of cricket in Karachi’

FAZAL-UR-REHMAN

KARACHI: Fast bowling legend Sarfraz Nawaz claimed that certain officials are misguiding the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf, which could tarnish Pakistan’s cricket image.

Nawaz alleged that certain elements within the PCB are working against the interest of Karachi cricket and are trying their best to deny permission for holding Ramazan events and the World XI matches in Karachi.

“Wrong advisers may let down Pakistan and PCB chief with their wrong thinking and approach,” the former Test pacer said in a candid chat with a private TV channel on Sunday night.

“But events like the highly successfully Champions League in Karachi has foiled the attempts of certain PCB officials,” he added.

Nawaz said he was appointed to train young fast bowlers and was conducting trials of players in the age group of 17-25 under PCB Skill Consultant Programme along with former Test players Abdul Qadir and Ijaz Ahmed.

He said during his meeting with Zaka Ashraf a few weeks ago, it was decided that he (Sarfraz) will help in training and coaching of young fast bowlers until the 2015 World Cup.

PCB Director General Javed Miandad was also present on the occasion.

“I cannot produce fast bowlers within a few months as it requires long-term planning, training and coaching to prepare them for the future,” he said.

Nawaz, however, neglected the impression that he was looking for a long-term job with the PCB to make money.

“There are already a huge number of officials in the PCB with lucrative salaries, but I have been working and spotting talent at the grounds,” he said.

“My only fault is that I always speak the truth which often annoys the PCB hierarchy,” he said.