Shoaib upset over team’s show as CPL launched

ISLAMABAD: Former Test speedster Shoaib Akhtar Thursday expressed his unhappiness over Pakistan’s earlier exit from the Champions Trophy, saying that things could have been better.

Shoaib was talking to the journalists at the Capital Premier League’s (CPL) launching ceremony at a local hotel. Shoaib was named as a brand ambassador of the event. “Nothing went right for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. I am really upset at the early exit of the team. I want Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to start scoring runs.”

At the same time, Shoaib said he was glad to see the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman working hard. “He is making all-out efforts to help cricket stand on sound footing. The PCB has transformed the stadiums for the Champions Trophy within no time. It was a big administrative achievement for Mohsin Naqvi.”

He called on the PCB administration to give leading cricketers a break. “Our leading cricketers are not getting the required rest. They should be given proper rest in between the series and events.”

Shoaib stressed the requirements to work on domestic cricket. “I was asked to work on the fast bowling but I feel I can contribute towards domestic cricket where a lot of upgradation is required.”

On the CPL, he said the event would bring together the best talent from around the world. The organisers plan to launch a hunt for talent program from around the world with Shoaib Akhtar leading the selection process.

At the end of the trials, eight teams will be selected which will see the best cricketers from all over the world playing in the league. The organisers have already applied for NOC from the PCB to hold the event in a befitting manner.

“We will be getting NOC soon as we were promised. We have already met all the requirements,” Arshad Ali Baiga, President of the CPL said. He added that through CPL they would bring Pakistan-origin cricketers together for a noble cause.

“It is an effort to bring Pakistanis living abroad on a common platform and there is no better stage than to involve them in a cricket league. Apart from that, we would bring the best local talent to the fore. With Shoaib Akhtar there to guide us, things would be a lot better and the selection would be made purely on merit. Shoaib always advocated merit.” PFUJ President Afzal Butt also spoke on the occasion and praised Shoaib Akhtar’s involvement in the CPL which he said would bring the best out of talented cricketers.