Akram, PCB chief blast critics

8220;I strongly condemn that and all such calls are unnecessary and negative tactics before the all-important Test series against England,8221; Akram told AFP.8220;These people are trying to distract us. It8217;s totally unnecessary and an attempt to distract us from the series against England.8220;I will not comment on recommendations made by Justice Qayyum and whether I approve of them or not but after a comprehensive inquiry such calls for a ban against the players are baseless.8221;An International Cricket Council ICC meeting, underway in Kenya, is to analyse progress on match-fixing issues in Pakistan, India and South Africa. The ICC Code of Conduct Commission under the chairmanship Lord Hugh Griffiths may call for harsher measures against Pakistani and South African players, press reports have suggested.Britain8217;s Sunday Telegraph said Griffiths had apparently concluded more severe punishments were necessary.