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"If Zardari really wants to help Pakistan cricket then he must allow it to be an institution. It should be constitution-based and have an elected chairman with elected representatives," Khan said.
Pakistan's cricketing woes saw Shoaib Malik replaced as captain by Younus Khan following the team's humiliating 234-run loss -- their worst one-day defeat -- handing visitors Sri Lanka a 2-1 series win last week.
The change was the third major reshuffle in as many months. In October Zadari appointed Ijaz Butt chairman of the cricket board, following Nasim Ashraf's resignation. Butt then sacked Australian coach Geoff Lawson for poor team performance.
"Our cricket is as much in the mess as is the country," said Khan.
Khan, who led Pakistan to their only World Cup triumph, in Australia in 1992, and is now in politics, said the country's head of state appointing the cricket board chairman was the bane of Pakistan cricket.
"No way should the President of the country appoint the cricket chief," said Khan. The President of Pakistan is patron of the cricket board and appoints its chairman, unlike in countries abroad in which the chairman is elected.
Khan said cricket needed to be organised properly in a country obsessed with the game.
"Why can't Pakistan cricket be based on successful models like Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, where the talent is concentrated in six regional teams set up by nurseries below?" said Khan, who played 88 Tests for Pakistan.
Khan, who retired from cricket in 1992, now heads his own political party -- Movement for Justice (Tehrik-e-Insaaf) -- and has never held a post on the cricket board.
Khan ridiculed a suggestion from Zardari to host a round-table conference to resolve cricketing matters.
"Cricket is run on an ad hoc basis in the country, so the president is now suggesting a round-table conference without knowing that the previous regime of Nasim Ashraf wasted millions on such conferences to no avail."
Khan said the saddest aspect was that the team was going from bad to worse.
"Ever since the 1992 World Cup win and the 1999 runner-up finish, the performance graph is having a downhill trajectory. In 2003 and 2007, we were ousted in the first rounds," he said.
Khan, regarded as one of the top four all-rounders of his time, said the country's entire cricket structure needed an overhaul.
"Our domestic cricket is incapable of polishing a talented youngster, so it needs an overhaul and we should do it quickly otherwise time will run out."
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The state of affairs in Pak is rotten because the Pakis lack character. And to think that the country is a theocratic Islamic country - a country of religion ! Musharraf used to boast that he was a champion of the Muslim ummah. Today, the Muslim ummah has deserted Pakistan.
ONLY CRICKET?
Just imagine, if a nation cannot synergize 22 players on a TEAM.... positively in the spirit of true sportmanship, what will they accomplish with 160 million radical terrorists.
Pakistan have lost too much in the name of Kashmir, like a child who wants just MOON only. After more than 60 years world is watching where is Pakistan and where stands INDIA. And Pakistan messed even CRICKET?
This Johny Imran a former PLAYBOY, Jihadi Sympathiser turned Fundamentalist should know that CRICKET IS A GENTLEMEN'S Game played by Aristocrats and Educated and not by his fellow countrymen Terrorists.Pakistan is only fit to play with Grenades and Rifles and not with Cricket Bats.
Yes cricket is played by gentlemen like Sudhir Naik, the Indian opening batsmen with Sunil Gavaskar in 1974 steal a pair of socks from Marks
Imran says cricket is in mess. Please ask him to tell which section of Pakistan is not in mess. It is really distressing when we are repeatedly reminded that this rogue country run by cunning is our neighbour
Does anyone realise, it's really China behind it al? Just think who will be the biggest beneficiary from any such fall out ! And all are pointing fingers in the wrong direction ! Pakis we may contain given some time, but with China it is not going to be an easy bout. Particularly when every Indian politician is moulded to the core by the original Congress philosophy. Take any party, this fact is hidden in the vey mindset of all and one. And alas ! The young ones do not seem intersted in setting the matters right.
Soon Pakistan will disintegrate. These are just the indications.
Indians should mind their own business. Look what all these Senas are doing to your country...Shiv Sena, MN Sena, now ram sena..n u call india a civilised country...and indians unnecesarily poke their nose everywhere like here. The issue was restrcited to Pakistan cricket, But u linked it to Kashmir. Soon you will taste what u aspire for...complete disaster and civil war!