Former cricket greats have blamed political interference for Younus Khan's decision to resign as Pakistan's captain, calling it a blow to the sport in the country.
"Politicians have no need to interfere in cricket and they have not only snatched our captain but have damaged the game badly," former captain Ramiz Raja said after Younus offered his resignation.
The surprise move came after the National Assembly's sports committee called a meeting to investigate the team's defeats by Australia and New Zealand in the recent Champions Trophy tournament played in South Africa.
The 31-year-old captain's resignation was rejected by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt, who said the matter would be discussed later.
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'Our honourable captain was insulted by the investigation' The team had faced allegations that it threw the match against Australia to deny arch-rival India a shot at the trophy.
"Our honourable captain was insulted by the investigation and we acted on baseless allegations," said Raja.
Another former captain, Rashid Latif, blamed the media and the PCB.
"I think the media was irresponsible by relaying a not-so-authentic statement by someone and Younus, being an honourable man, resigned over that.
"I don't see him taking his decision back," said Latif. But former captain Aamir Sohail termed Younus's decision "emotional".
'Younus has acted in haste and with emotion' "Younus has acted in haste and with emotion. The Pakistan team needs him and he shouldn't have felt so strongly about the investigation. This is extremely common in Pakistan, so he should rescind his resignation," said Sohail.
Federal sports minister Pir Aftab Shah Jilani said on Tuesday he accepted that Younus had been hurt by allegations.
"Players are sentimental and they do not expect such investigations," Jilani said after the meeting. "I would request the PCB do not to accept his resignation."
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This article was originally published on page 22 of Pretoria News on October 14, 2009
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