KARACHI, Sept 9: Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s statement regarding the functioning of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has drawn flak from the cricket community with some former players terming it as “irresponsible”.

“I am surprised at the statement he has made about the PCB because he was supposed to go to England and play in county cricket, not land up in Mumbai in a dance show and also give irresponsible statements,” former Test captain and coach Intikhab Alam said.

Intikhab, who is on the board’s governing body, said the members would definitely look into this latest escapade by Shoaib and his statements.

Former captain and legend Javed Miandad, while criticising the pacer’s comments, said the incident just highlighted the fact that the present board had failed to impose any discipline among players and has not gained much respect because the code of conduct gets violated often by them.

“I have been saying this all along that it is the duty of the board to ensure players remain disciplined but when the board is handled by undeserving people, such problems arise,” Miandad said.

The fast bowler during his appearance in an Indian reality show reportedly told the media that some people wanted to force their will on him and in the process they were not only hurting him but also the country and the game. He also said that now he is back and will play for Pakistan.

Shoaib was recently permitted by the PCB to play for English county Surrey as they felt this would allow the pacer to test his fitness and bowling form.

But Shoaib had to return home from the Heathrow Airport as he didn’t had complete work permit documents last week. The pacer soon left for Surrey while stopping in India on the way to participate in a reality show.

Also on Tuesday, a PCB lawyer said a hearing on Shoaib appeal against an 18-month ban was postponed because the judge was not available.The 33-year-old paceman is appealing the ban and a fine of seven million rupees (100,000 dollars).

“Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Syed Zahid Hussain was not available to hear the case as he was attending the swearing-in ceremony of the president of Pakistan in Islamabad,” PCB lawyer Taffazul Rizvi said, adding a new date for the hearing would be announced next week.

The original ban of five years was imposed by the PCB disciplinary committee in April following Shoaib’s public criticism of the board in January when he was axed from the list of 15 contracted players.

An appeal committee reduced the ban but imposed the fine in June before the Lahore High Court suspended the ban the same month, allowing Shoaib to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the court upheld the fine, a prerequisite for Shoaib representing Pakistan again.—Agencies