In a startling claim, former cricketer, Shoaib Akhtar has said that it was Asif Ali Zardari who helped him get back to the cricket field after a 5-year-ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The Rawalpindi Express was banned on 1st April 2008 on account of violating the player’s code of conduct as he criticized the PCB.
It was right before the inaugural Indian Premier League which took place from 18th April to 1st June in 2008. Akhtar was then allowed to play the league following efforts made by the former President Asif Ali Zardari.
In October 2008, the Lahore High Court declared PCB’s decision null and void as Akhtar was declared eligible to play international cricket for his country.
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Right before Zardari was about to become the new President, he called PCB’s then-chairman, Naseem Ashraf, through late Salman Taseer to reinstate Shoaib Akhtar. The 44-year-old said that Zardari told the PCB Chairman to either lift the ban or he will be replaced.
آج کھل کر کہتا ہوں ذرداری صاحب نے میری مدد کی۔
انہوں نے مجھے ٹیم میں شامل کرایا۔
چیرمین کرکٹ بورڈ کو گھر سے اٹھا کر منسٹرز کالونی لایا گیا۔
پریس کانفرنس کرای گئی۔
شعیب اختر pic.twitter.com/8wqhsc6skC— Waseem Badami (@WaseemBadami) August 2, 2020
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He further said that Naseem Ashraf was asked to do a press conference regarding the matter at a late hour. Zardari told Naseem Ashraf that the fast bowler is going to New Delhi to play the IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders right away and everyone including the President, Parvez Musharaf, have been informed about the matter.
What are your thoughts on the story? Let us know in the comments section.
Its a very Bad News too much politics involved in every department.
Asif zardari did well for the wotld no one boller not any nikhatoo shoab said correct to score to toisnad runs doesnt mean younis is better then yousif yousif was victamised other wise he qoud have been highest scorer and century maker most stylish having million shots in in his bwlt lok at his wristy cover drive flick pull placing no one compares