KARACHI, Feb 26: Former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad and Moin Khan have lashed out at the BCCI for refusing to play a three-ODI series which would have filled the gap created by Australia’s decision to reduce the duration of their scheduled March-April tour.

The duo felt the Indian response was the result of the blatant manner in which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had been towing their line on various issues including the controversial Indian Cricket League (ICL) and Indian Premier League (IPL) standoff.

“If the Indians wanted to help us out they could have come for a week. As it is they could even have rested some of their main players and tried out some of the players who have not been picked in the squad for the series in Australia,” Miandad said.

“But India has never really helped Pakistan cricket when most necessary,” he added.

Miandad said the Indians, by agreeing to come to Pakistan, could have sent a positive message to even Australia to tour Pakistan.

BCCI President Sharad Pawar on Sunday cited the need for the Indian players to take a break of at least 10 days between their current engagement in Australia and the next home series against South Africa as the reason for the inability to visit Pakistan next month.

However, Miandad felt India would have had enough break to spare a week in Pakistan. “They could have still rested their players even after undertaking a short tour to Lahore.”

Miandad said the PCB had been towing the Indian board’s line on ICL and IPL and had taken sides by banning the players who had signed up for the ICL.

“The ICL is purely an issue hurting the Indian board. And Pakistan has been in the forefront of doing what they want,” he said.

Moin also criticised the PCB for making an announcement about the Indian series even before it was confirmed.

“I don’t understand why make an announcement about the proposal before it was confirmed. It also sent out a wrong message to the Australians and the Indians’ refusal to help would only create more problems for us,” he explained.

“If the Indians wanted to repay Pakistan for the support they have given on the ICL this was the time to do it. Unfortunately, they backed out and it is a good lesson for our cricket officials not to follow the Indians blindly and look at our own interests at the world forum,” he added.—Agencies