Akram blasts PCB for lifting Akhtar ban

Lahore, May 6 (UNI) Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for granting banned quickie Shoaib Akhtar a month-long window for playing in the lucrative IPL.

''PCB's ways and means were ridiculous,'' Akram told Mobile ESPN. ''Even after a tribunal upheld a five-year-ban on Shoaib last week, the PCB deferred the suspension by 30 days to allow him play the IPL.'' ''First you ban him and then you suspend it to facilitate something. After that, Naseemsaab and Shoaib are on TV, a politician mediates to sort out the matter and then, Naseemsaab drops his case,'' he added. ''I think a good Bollywood director can make a hit comedy film.'' The former pace spearhead came dowm heavily on the 'Rawalpindi Express' for taking political help to pressurise the PCB to suspend his ban.

''Shoaib should eventually join politics. He will really do well there,'' Akram fumed.

Casting doubts on Akhtar's fitness Akram said, the publicity hungry 32-year-old pacer will find himself at home among all the glitz and glamour of the IPL.

''Once Shoaib sees the crowd and of course the babes around, I think he'll be able to perform,'' he remarked. ''It will take him just a couple of games to get fit and since he has to bowl just 4 overs in a match, he doesn't need much fitness.'' UNI XC AB RKM DB2011