Shake-up might affect India

DHAKA, January 12: A powerful section in the Pakistan cricket set-up is understood to have launched a strong attack on forces polluting the ...

DHAKA, January 12: A powerful section in the Pakistan cricket set-up is understood to have launched a strong attack on forces polluting the richest game in the sub-continent. The magnitude of that silent revolution is such that it might well push their Indian counterparts into an uncomfortable corner in the near future.

According to a source in the Pakistan contingent here, the axing of prominent cricketers and the return of Rashid Latif as captain, is directly linked to increasing allegations of betting and match-fixing. And, after Salim Malik, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Moin Khan, the axe is now poised dangerously over another senior batsman in the current side. But, as of now, the situation is still dicey with an equally influential section lobbying hard for the return of the sacked cricketers.

As the official, who wished to remain anonymous said, 8220;It is good for Pakistan that the Board has started to act positively. The team is now a happy, united side unlike in the past. Still, there is one more player left in the side who could join the sacked bunch, but it remains to be seen how the situation develops.8221;

The outcome of this movement, as he sees it, depends on the survival of Majid Khan as chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Majid is believed to be the driving force behind this massive overhaul. At least two of the three-men Pakistan selection committee stood by him.

This internal tussle almost burst out into the open when the selection panel met to announce the team for the Independence Cup here two weeks back. Zaheer Abbas protested against the appointment of Rashid Latif and the omission of Akram, Waqar and Moin.

Abbas even threatened to resign from the panel after the other two members, chairman Salim Altaf and Shafiq Ahmed, refused to toe his line. They suggested a compromise formula by which at least Moin could be accommodated as second wicket-keeper. But Abbas turned down that offer.

The official explanation for Waqar8217;s omission is that the pitch at Dhaka here would not suit pace bowlers. And Moin had to be rested after being on the job for 18 months.

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One explanation for Akram8217;s omission is that his shoulder injury surfaced again after the demanding series against West Indies and he left for treatment in London after informing the team doctor Dan Kiesel. But Kiesel denies that, while maintaining that if Akram really did suffer an injury, he would have known about it earlier.

Then there was the news that Akram did not want to continue as captain after being disgusted with various charges levelled against him. This again was later denied by Majid Khan, who dismissed the issue saying Akram was affected by 8220;mental pressure.8221; If the balance tilts the other way, Latif could lose his captaincy and might even be out of the team.