Time for Kamran, Razzaq to retire: PCB chief

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt cast a shadow of doubt over senior Pakistani players Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq's future when he said it is time for the duo to bid adieu to international cricket after their flop show in the World Cup.

Criticising Kamran and Razzaq's performance during the World Cup, Butt said, "I think the way these two performed, it was very disappointing and a big let down. It is best for them to say goodbye to international cricket now."

He also said that both Kamran and Razzaq's future now lies in the hands of the national selectors.

Butt also made it clear captain Shahid Afridi would also have been dropped from the national team for the West Indies tour if he had not performed with the ball in the World Cup.

"But I think he (Afridi) showed his usefulness to the team by taking 21 wickets and deserves to be retained as captain," he said.

The PCB chief also extended support to Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who came in for sharp criticism for his slow batting in the high-profile semi-final against India.

He informed that Misbah will continue to lead the national team in Test matches in the West Indies.

Meanwhile, the PCB chairman also said that in a bid to restore bilateral cricket ties with India, the Pakistan Cricket Board will soon write to the government.

Butt told reporters in Lahore that he is hopeful of a series between India and Pakistan by the end of this year.

"Even if it is not possible to host the series at home we can play at neutral venues," Butt said, adding that the board would soon write to the government for their assistance and advice.

He termed the Indian foreign secretary's statement on Indo-Pak cricket ties as a positive one and welcomed the big step forward.

"The positive thing is that the Indian Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) also voiced his keenness to see the resumption of bilateral cricket ties between the two nations and the statement by the Indian foreign secretary appears to be part of this moving process," Butt said.

He admitted that if India and Pakistan played a bilateral cricket series it would strengthen PCB's financial position.

"We are even willing to play at a neutral venue if need arises. But our main effort would be to host the Indians in Pakistan," Butt added.