The Pakistan Cricket Board has dropped a bombshell: Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan have been banned. While Yousuf and Younis have been banned indefinitely for causing in-fighting, Malik and Naved will only be eligible to play for Pakistan after a year.
Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi’s ball-biting antics have landed him a six-month probation and a three-million-rupee fine. Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal have also been fined three million and two million rupees, respectively, for their tantrum-throwing and injury-feigning episodes during the Australia tour.
These punitive measures have been taken right before Pakistan is set to defend its World Twenty20 title in the West Indies in April and May.
Do you think the bans and fines are too harsh or too lenient? Will Pakistan be able to defend its title successfully without players like Rana Naved and Shoaib Malik on the field? And who will take on the troubled side’s captaincy? Salman Butt? Abdur Razzaq? Or dare we say, Shoaib Akhtar?
The following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Great decision taken by PCB. Feel little bit harsh for Yo unis khan. Hope now the younger players will be more disciplined and abiding to the instructions issued by PCB. No more mockery of sentiments of the people and country as a whole would take place by the so called senior players.
Congratulate PCB for this bold decision.
Its sad and extremely oppurtunistic of a cricket board that has totally lost its writ and now has done this desperate act to shift the blame of its own incompetence and mismanagement solely onto the players. Banning Yunis Khan- for God sake- he only captained the 20-20 World Cup winning- side and won accolades from pundits for his cool handlingh of a fractured team. The Board never tried to protect its players even when they came back from winning the cup to face the National assembly comittee and now when its own existence is challenged its come up with its trump card and put the blame on all the cricketers and walk away as saviours. Very Machiavellian! The people who were at the helm of affairs while Pakistan became a laughing stock rather than the players. Historically speaking Pakistan have always pushed its stars out of the scene rather ungracefully whether it be Saaed Anwer, Javed Minadad, Zaheer abbas or waqar yunis. Tendulkar’s and Jayasuria’s or Steve Waughs come from systems that builds protects and nourishes its major talents watever their ages may be.- and dont resort to making players the scape gpats for their own ineptitude.
Whether the decision is right or wrong, the worst part of it looks to be the lack of cohesive process by which PCB is operating. Are their specific governing laws that provide the basis for these decisions? Were the players made aware, as part of the Pakistani team, of the range and severity of punishements that can be handed out by the board if they acted in a x, y, or z manner? I mean, my 9 year old come across more systematic than the baboo’s of PCB!!!
This episode comes across born out of a ad hoc, make up as you go, behaviour that PCB management has exhibited for as long as I can remember. And then, how about some accountability for folks running the show? There is no disclosure from PCB about the administration abdication of responsibility. Surely there must be some people within PCB administration that should resign or fired for not just the performance on field but also for letting these interplayer squables go on for such a long time. How about starting from the head of PCB, shouldnt he be punished in some way for being a captain of the ship that keeps running aground?
Accountability should be across the board. Players must be disciplined but so must the management. It is high time that powers to be in Pakistan realize that they need proven and trained managers and executives to run the PCB enterprise in a professional manner. Ex players have their place indeed but just because they wielded a bat doesnt mean they can run an organization. But then again, who will do this makeover of PCB? I am reminded that patron of PCB is an uneducated corrupt politician and that I must abandon all hope.
Well, for it is worth – I will always support our team in good times and even when they are stinking up the joint as they seem to be presently. Go Pakistan!
Just heard from a TV channel PCB Chairman taking U turn & denying any ban on Younis & Yousuf and also that they are open to selection! Lets hope the news is true. I have no idea how these penalties are imposed and on what basis, therefore cannot comment whether they are harsh or linient. There must, however, be some criterion where everyone who is involved in the game should know his limits and the quantum of prescribed penalties viz-a-viz specific offences. I don’t think there is an criterion present becuase if it did we may not have seen different players being treated differently for the same offence.
Regarding the captain, though I do not consider Shahid Afridi worthy enough but having no choice will have to go alongwith others in accepting him as a captain. Look at the unseriousness with which he plays his shots. A batsman who is around for over a decade now does not know how to take a rising delivery. Every bowler around the globe knows his weaknesses as a batsman which he never bothers to correct. He loves the prefix ‘boom boom’ before his name which I don’t know where has come from but has created a liking for the sponsors of the game and hence his selection.
Now the question about defending the title. I would not like to bring back the players banned by the board whether rightly or wrongly once decision is taken, PCB should stick to it. Otherwise, it would mean succumbing to players power and that is one of the many reason for the deterioration of Cricket in Pakistan. Players from the under 19 team, few of them are excellent, can be selected who have just recently put up a brilliant show in the championship final. One should not be afraid of losing if he is playing with a winning mind set.
friends, im an indian n im surprised to see the whole pakistan is supporting such a harsh decision.The problem with pak cricket is that ther r too many emotional individuals there in the board n they r taking decision according to their emotions n as their calm down with time, they’ll recheck their decisions. the board shud find the real reasons behind the aus tour.If ther wer problems in pak team, banning some players wont make an end to it.may b they shud give some counselling for their team abt unity..and this is not the way of treating ppl who played for their country for years…
I like this is a right decision because of discipline should have must for every player. We are a big fan of cricket and cricket is our passion. You are a senior player and got fame this not means you can do anything. Last, team and your performance is more needed than your individual. I am a also fan of some pakistani cricketers. But PCB take a harsh decision for Yousuf and Yunis one year or two years ban is ok but life time decision ruin both cricketer’s life.
The decision taken is not bad at all I think the thing we lacked as a nation is discipline and we should not compromise on this, if we are losing matches with these guys than what is the problem in losing the matches with the new bunch of players, we have a lot of talent and they only nourish in a desciplined environment. With the new team we have the the future, invest on it in controlled environment and this is the need of the hour.
When correction is to be done . it always start from upper level and then to lower level and not vice versa. the head of the institution should be first corrected and then punishment should be given to lower level. In the case of hockey Or cricket , the chairman should take full responsibility and resign.
Our cricket players has just been made scape goats.
This is ridiculous. Malik should have been banned for life for his off-field antics and politics within the team. Totally spineless, a cunning player, he should have been banned from taking part in any format – domestic, international or county for life time. As such he is not wanted by any team any where in the world, but I really wonder how he could be part of this good Pak team.
Younus and Yousuf are really unfortunate to get this treatment as both of them are excellent cricketers and play for their country. No doubt both may not be great as Captain but as players, one cannot doubt their commitments to Pak cricket. Afridi must be given a ban as well, since he thinks he is the ultimate in T20. The pride had gone into his head and he acts childishly most of the time. Akmals should have been given one more chance by giving a warning as they are very young. Rana, I really dont know what he did to earn a ban. But he is an excellent team man, gives his best everytime he plays.
My question to all the above people and all Pakistanis;
Would they have fought over whatever their issue is, if they were playing for IPL or any English County? These players need to know that they represent a country which gave them a stand to play and earn respect. They can’t be treating thir country like this. Plus they are not as big players as Zaheer Abbas, Asif Iqbal, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younus, Inzimam-ul-Haq and so on. I don’t understand what’s so wrong with all these new youngsters. They have attitude and the worse part is that they are not as big players. Sorry to know about Cricket in Pakistan.
Once again Ijaz butt gets away with it. There is no point in chopping down the foot soldiers , and leave the main problem aside.
The problem with PCB is the present head Ijaz Butt. The new national team is not going to perform any different while they are under the shadow of the present head Ijaz Butt.
How did the manager and board chairman got away?
The teams management was pathetic someone is repsonsible why havethey been ignored?They havewasted sucha lot of money of the PCB why r they not penalized?
Younis Khan is in the middle of nothing he didnt even play in Australia and came on the REQUEST of the team management and Yousuf.
Younis and Yousuf should not have been penalized its just INSANE. I wish younis khan NEVER plays for pakistan for noone respects him and treasure him same for Yousuf
I think the whole team should be banned and new team should be replaced as none of them is aware about discipline. They should be punished more than what has happened.
Who will punish the PCB officials ?!! Isn’t it their responsibility too?
Ijaz Butt and his henchmen are at it again, making a mockery of Pakistan across the world. Although players are also responsible for the disaster, but the PCB did nothing to resolve the issue. Ijaz Butt and his friends have made the players scape-goats to save themselves.
I can understand temporary bans, or simply droppping the guys for poor performance. Lifetime bans are a very serious matter.
I believe indefinite bans should be handed out for criminal activity , examples being Saleem Malik, Hanse Cronje, Azharuddin. Not even repeat offenders like Shoaib Akhtar are banned for life.
I am all for one-year bans and hefty fines…. but lifetime bans ? Give me a break. We need to get rid of Ijaz Butt or else he will destroy whatever is left.
Good decision.
It may be harsh for some, but with the chaos that had prevailed in the squad this kinds of measures were required to set an example for future.
Nobody is indispensible, and with the immense talent in Pakistan i dont think we will be short of fresh blood to fill up the gaps.
I have been cryiggggggggggggggggggggggggggg why selectors not giving our young players from Under19 and domestic teams more and more chances to show what they have and make strong backups and replacements . Why we are sticking with 20 or 30 players from last some years and rotating them again and again. I like Younis Khan as a player in team but may be these suspensions let board pick some new blood. As far as captaincy is concerned Afridi deserve that. PCB must look for new wicketkeepers as well, despite rotating 2 or 3 all time.
Hi,
I am from India. I really don’t understand what is happening in Pak cricket. When they won T20, then every one was praising the team and taking credit of it and when they lost one series, they are looking for scape goats. What is Younis and Yousuf have done to get a life ban?.. Have they done any match fixing? Yousuf, as far as I know, is one of the finest batsman Pakisthan has ever seen and also one person who has hardly been in any controversy throughout his career ( which is very rare when we compare other Pakisthani cricketers). He is really a role model for the youngsters in Pakisthan can look up to.
If you think of the whole NZ and Aus series, no one was ready to lead the team and at that he stepped in. He never asked for captaincy, just like many others in the team who would have liked to have a go at it. And in the middle of tour, PCB chairman announces that the captain will be replaced after the tour. And every Tom, Dick, and Harry, whoever where in the team started thinking themselves as the next captain. Then how you think you will have command and support from all the other players.
Afridi, he is nothing but a joke (If you are fan of Afridi sorry! that is what I think). How many times he has batted irresponsibly and Pakisthan has lost matches (People will argue he has one so many match on his own, but if actually check his career, he would have batted irresponsibly more times than he has won the match). People want him as captain.. He proved what he is in just one match. If one can’t control oneself, then how is managing to control others. (They are some players who we think are bit on the mad side, but if the madness has a method, it is welcome.. Eg: Sourav Ganguly). If they have given half the opportunities that Afridi has got, I think Pakisthan would have had tremendous number of players in back up by now. A person like Misbah-ul-Haq, wouldn’t have to wait till 32 to get a chance to play. I can actually go on with many examples, but ultimately what is the use… Anyway all the best for Pak cricket and cricketers, lot of wrong things have happened with them in the past few years now.. Hope it has reached to lowest point and from here on there is only ascend..
Surprised and shocking, I think they are victim of Board Politics, try to find out the real story, without these middle order batsman pak batting line will be very weak, world Cup is coming up !!!!
Really surprised & shocking ! I think they are the victim of Cricket Board Politics, try to find the real story.
People who are talking about the right decision in the right direction need to understand its cricket not politics. I would have welcomed it if our politicians were banned. The politicians can do whatever they want with the country and nobody can do anything about it. Banning players for fighting with each other is a joke. Fines are ok. And why are they not making the report public? Why was Younus banned when he only got to Australia for onedayers? If the players were banned on the report of the coach and manager than why were both of them fired from their posts? It is all a drama. This brother in law of the law minister is here to destroy Pakistan cricket.
They deserved it ! . Specially Umar Akmal’s injury faking ! . Its a bit harsh on Yousuf though , he captained the side at a difficult time ! . Younis has’nt been performing at all ! . He can only make double centuries on dead subcontinent pitches mind you! .
Yousuf and Younus life ban is not justified, they should have been prevented from Int’l cricket for a year, and had let them to miss some impt. int’l matches. They themself would had realised, and would had come up with a good deciplined players, now we would never know. punishment is to make one releize their mistakes, just taking them off is not the soloution. Im with Ramiz Raja’s openion.
MUJIB ALI says: @Yousuf and Younus life ban is not justified, they should have been prevented from Int’l cricket for a year, and had let them to miss some impt. int’l matches.”
==== It is not a life ban. My guess one or both will be back earlier than you think.
A great move and it should have been done looooooooooong time ago a and finally some talented and younger, fresher players can be given a chance..I have a lot to say but i seriously hope younis and usuf dont get picked and PCB doesnt take a uturn on his decision.
I’m a die-heart fan of India-Pak matches. Its very unfortunate by knowing the PCB harsh actions. I think it could be sort out in closed door interactions. All Pak players should see “Remember the Titans” Just wishes Best of Luck Pak Cricket Team….
Finally, system a semblance of system prevailing over personalities in Pakistan. Remember the words of ex-Chairman Tauqeer Zia “…we have to tolerate the bad attitude of our Super Stars…” which he made about Shoaib Akhter.
PCB shud ‘ve taken stern action like this long time back. These players who put self interest (and money) supreme over playing for their nation are not our Heroes.
But then the action against the two ‘Ys’ is a surprise. Although their absence wont make a difference in team’s performance as they were virtually contributing nothing for some time now, but their farewell should be more honorable.
On the other hand, PCB has again shown leniency against Shoaib Malik and Akmals. Both should have been banned for an extended period.
The Biggest Culprit, PCB Management should also take some responsibility here.
Although chances are high for reversal or reduction of these punitive actions, we should all suport stern actions against all who are involved in indisciplines. Even at the cost of loosing upcoming T20.
Please name the iconic players who have honorably exited Pakistan cricket in last 2 decades.
Imran Khan? Saeed Anwar? waqar younis?…………..any other????
Now compare it with other nations.
It is a disgrace of a nation at international stage to impose a life ban on players of such caliber.