Daily Times

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday showed that it was the weakest board around the globe and master of U-turns when its chairman Shaharyar Khan accepted Test veteran Younus Khan’s apology and allowed him to return to the ongoing Pakistan Cup in Faisalabad. The decision of the PCB has also shown that players in Pakistan, no doubt, are bigger than the game. Younus’ alleged misdemeanours included questioning an umpiring decision, showing dissent and threatening an umpire during the Pakistan Cup game. Reacting to the charges, Younus, captain of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, left his team in protest and refused to attend the disciplinary hearing. He was fined 50 percent of his match fee for breaching level 2 of the PCB domestic code of conduct.

“In his response to the show cause notice, Younus has expressed regret over his conduct and has duly apologised,” read a press release by the PCB. “In view of his acceptance of the wrong-doing and consequent apology, PCB chairman Shaharyar has decided to accept his explanation,” the release added. Consequently, Younus can now join the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) squad should the team qualify for the final of the 2016 Pakistan Cup. Shaharyar was also quoted in the notification where he explained the board’s decision to accept Younus’ apology. “Younus has served Pakistan cricket for a number of years and he has developed a shining reputation in Pakistan and abroad. While this incident is unfortunate, I am glad to note that Younus has admitted his mistake,” said Shaharyar.

It is pertinent to mention that match referee Azizur Rehman fined and summoned Younus for a disciplinary hearing. But Younus, Pakistan’s highest Test run-getter with 9116 in 104 matches, refused to attend the hearing and withdrew from the tournament in anger. On Monday Younus called PCB chairman Shaharyar and apologised for his behaviour, agreeing to play the remaining matches. But the PCB stopped Younus from playing in the tournament and issued him a show cause notice, saying that “no one is bigger than the game”. But on Wednesday, Younus became ‘bigger than the game’.

Pakistan cricket is marred by players’ discipline problems. Local media said opener Ahmad Shahzad broke glass in the dressing room during the same tournament in Faisalabad on Monday while middle-order batsman Umar Akmal was involved in a brawl with a group of youths after a stage drama. The PCB said it was investigating both the incidents. Former Pakistan captain Miandad blasted the incidents and blamed the PCB for lenient action. He said indiscipline should not be tolerated at any cost, “no matter how big a player”, as it sets a bad precedent.