Akhtar lashes ICC over Team of the Decade
KARACHI — Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has lashed out at the International Cricket Council (ICC) after no Pakistan player was included in the T20I Team of the Decade. ICC on Sunday announced the T20I, ODI, and Test teams of the decade comprising of some of the biggest superstars of the game.
Former India skipper MS Dhoni was named captain of the T20I Team of the Decade featuring the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah among others. A total of four Indian players made the cut in the T20I Team of the Decade while no Pakistan players were included in the star-studded XI.
Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel after ICC's announcement, Akhtar launched a scathing attack at the governing body of cricket and accused it of ignoring Pakistan players. Akhtar said the ICC named an IPL XI of the decade and not a world XI as not even a single player from Pakistan featured in the side.
“They did not pick a single player from Pakistan in the team. We don't need your (ICC) T20I Team of the Decade because you announced the IPL team, not a world cricket team,” Akhtar said on his official YouTube channel. Akhtar cited the example of current Pakistan limited-overs captain Babar Azam and said he is the number one batsman in T20Is at the moment but was not picked in the Team of the Decade. Babar, who made his international debut in 2015 has 1681 runs in 44 T20I matches at an average of over 50 and a strike rate of 130.
“I think ICC forgot that Pakistan is also a member of ICC and they also play T20I cricket. They did not pick Babar Azam, who is currently the number one batsman in the ICC T20I rankings,” said Akhtar in the video.
The former Pakistan pacer further blamed the ICC for thinking about only money and sponsorship rights. He accused the world body of depleting the quality of cricket by focusing on commercialisation.
“ICC only thinks about money, sponsorships and TV rights. They introduced two new balls and three powerplays (in the ODI cricket). Where is Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, big five of West Indies,
Wasim ( Akram) and Waqar ( Younis)? Where are the world's fastest bowlers and leg-spinners? They went away because ICC commercialised and materialised cricket so much and allowed ten leagues to earn more revenue,” Akhtar said.
“Forgot to write IPL” — Rashid Latif takes a dig at ICC as no Pakistan player makes it to T20I team of decade “Forgot to write IPL” — Rashid Latif takes a dig at ICC as no Pakistan player makes it to T20I team of decade
MS Dhoni named captain of ICC Men's T20I Team of the Decade: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah feature MS Dhoni named captain of ICC Men's T20I Team of the Decade; Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah feature
“They just want two World Cups in three years and leagues . . . There is a big difference between today's cricket and in 70's cricket. If there is no Sachin vs Shoaib then what's the point of watching cricket? There is no big player than Babar Azam in T20I. He is a top-scorer for Pakistan and his averages show what he has done for the country, even in comparison with Virat Kohli. It is so embarrassing and I'm sure after this video they will think that they have to announce the World Team of the Decade, not the IPL team,” he concluded.
ICC’s T20I Team of the Decade: Rohit Sharma, Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga. —