— File Photo: AFP

Wasim Akram.

NEW DELHI: Wasim Akram has termed Inzamam-ul-Haq a "dictator." For the first time in his career, Inzamam, captain of the Pakistan team at the recent World Cup, has been so severely criticised by Akram.

In an interview on Mobile ESPN, Akram blasted Inzamam for being high-handed in his dealings.

"Inzy definitely had become a dictator. He had obviously become very powerful. I know for a fact that Bob Woolmer and the foreign back-up staff would approach him for leave. I have seen senior PCB officials sitting at his residence and awaiting orders. These things are not good for cricket," Akram said.

Backs Shoaib Malik

Akram also backed Shoaib Malik as Pakistan's next captain. With Younis Khan reportedly declining to take up the captaincy, Akram said Pakistan has little to choose from. Akram noted: "The only ones who can handle the job are Shoaib Malik and Mohammed Yousuf. Malik is a good choice. He is young and he is talented. I don't think we have much of a choice, if Younis is not interested."

Akram said Younis would have been a good choice to succeed Inzamam.

"But if he has indeed been making those comments about absolute power and control, then Younis is silly. For any captain, he must first win the trust of his teammates, get some victories under his belt and power will automatically come. You don't have to clamour for power," Akram observed.

Akram also rejected former captain and coach Javed Miandad's comments that captains must not be given full authority. "Javed has been my mentor but I sometimes don't understand what he says. When he was captain, Javed bhai wanted full control and now he is saying something else. In India and Pakistan, a captain must be the boss because he is the man leading the team on the field. Of course, there must be healthy interaction between captain and the selectors. The rest will fall in place."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail