Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who is also in limelight for making controversial statements, has done the same once again. Speaking to Geo Cricket on a YouTube show, this time Akhtar made BCCI his target. He commented on the postponement of T20 World Cup and even dragged in the ‘Monkeygate’ controversy to make his point.
Shoaib Akhtar indicated that it was the influence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that ‘saved’ Harbhajan Singh during the controversy surrounding Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds.
“Sometimes they get easy wickets in Melbourne, at times someone calls another person a monkey but gets saved, the talk goes to boycotting the series. I am asking the Australians, where are their ethics?” Akhtar said.
Akhtar was referring to one of the most controversial incidents in which Singh was accused of hurling racial comments at Australian all-rinser Andrew Symonds during the second Test match in Sydney.
“You made kids cry for scratching a cricket ball and they got away by calling someone a monkey. They [BCCI] said to end the series and they [Australian Board] said no such incident happened. Are these your moral grounds, did you not get the sounds on the mic,” said Akhtar.
Talking about the postponement of Asia Cup and T20 World Cup due to the Covid-19 pandemic outburst, the pacer said the tournaments could have taken place as per the schedule.
“Asia Cup could have definitely happened, it would have been a great chance for India and Pakistan to play against each other. There are many reasons behind this. I don’t want to get into that.
“T20 World Cup could have also happened, but I had already said this earlier that they won’t let it happen. IPL should not be damaged, let the World Cup go to hell,” Akhtar said.
Pakistan is all set to play a three series Test match and the same number of T20 matches against England, which commences on August 28.
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