Ahmed Shehzad is more of an actor than a cricketer, says Abdul Qadir
Legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir blasted Pakistan cricketers Shahid Afridi, Ahmed Shehzad and his son-in-law Umar Akmal who were recently axed from the probables list for England tour.
Former leg-spin great Abdul Qadir slammed Shahid Afridi saying the dashing batsman was aged and is no longer fit enough to play top-level cricket. Qadir also didn't stop himself from bashing out-of favour opener Ahmed Shehzad and his own son-in-law Umar Akmal.
"I don't think cricket is any longer the forte of Afridi and he should say goodbye," Qadir said.
Umar paid for his mistakes
Qadir, who is known for his candid comments, took a jibe at Shehzad. The opening batsman was axed from the list of probables for England tour. He also didn't mince any words on the exclusion of his son-in-law.
"To me Shehzad is simply more of an actor than a cricketer while Umar Akmal has lost his place in the team because of his own mistakes," he said.
Umar, who is married to Qadir's daughter, has in recent months been at the centre of controversies raising questions over his commitment to the game.
Favouritism has destroyed cricket in Pakistan
Qadir also slammed the culture of favouritism and nepotism in Pakistan sports and cricket board.
"This culture has destroyed the fabrics of our sports and particularly cricket. In every department in the Pakistan cricket board they are people who have been appointed because of favoritism and nepotism. Najam Sethi who heads the executive committee also came in because of the prime minister," Qadir said.
Viv Richards is best suited to coach Pakistan
He said the PCB was wasting its time searching for a foreign coach and should instead appoint a local coach.
"And if they still want to have a foreign coach I don't think there is a better choice than the West Indian great, Sir Viv Richards who is also interested himself in working with Pakistan cricket."
On the appointment of former captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq as chief selector, the former Test spinner said he hoped he (Inzamam) had taken up the job after giving it lot of thought since there was a culture in the board which didn't allow people to work properly.
"Many of former players have either declined to join this board or been wasted and this is because they are not allowed to work properly and honestly," he said.