Describing Ijaz Butt's two years at the helm of Pakistan Cricket Board a complete failure, former captain Wasim Akram has ridiculed the PCB chief for seeking another tenure.
"If Ijaz Butt has asked for another term then hats off to him (pun intended). The whole of Pakistan and world cricket is after him. Pakistan cricket is in a mess, there is no leadership and amidst all this, to ask for another term, well what can I say. This shows that his advisors are not giving him the right directions," Akram said.
"Butt has been unable to hold forte. He is not a man in command. Pakistan cricket is in doldrums. There is no leadership and it was the chairman's role to keep all these things under check. He has failed," Akram told Mobile ESPN.
Butt's current tenure, which ends on October 31, has been marred by a series of controversies. The infamous terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore happened during his tenure.
Then came the spot-fixing scandal that rocked world cricket and he was roundly criticised for his off-the-cuff remarks that England players threw matches.
Akram was also critical of the selection panel for not consulting coach Waqar Younis while picking the team for the forthcoming series against South Africa in the UAE.
"I strongly believe that the presence of the captain and coach is a must in the process of team selection. It's fine that it is a selectors' job, but again it is a team game. If you keep fighting amongst yourselves then where is the leadership? The ball once again falls in Butt's court. He should take care of all these things," said the former captain.
Akram said only the players can lift Pakistan cricket by performing well against South Africa in the upcoming series which will have two Twenty20 Internationals, five ODIs and two Tests.
"Pakistan can beat anybody in Twenty20, but the one-dayers and Tests will be a different ball game. Even if Pakistan wins a match or two South Africa can always come back, they are always a difficult side. Wherever the Proteas play, they are a tough side to beat. Pakistan will give them competition, but I believe the series will be a close affair," said Akram.
