Wasim Akram has suggested that PCB should appoint younger people on national selection committee to raise its standard.

The former captain's comment comes two days after Pakistan cricket plunged into fresh crisis with chief selector Abdul Qadir resigning in mysterious circumstances.

Akram, currently in England, where the ICC World Twenty20 is on, told the Pakistani media that PCB should appoint such cricketers on the selection committee who were in their 30s and 40s.

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"You need such people who have played cricket in the modern era. People who know the cricketers playing on the domestic circuit and the international opposition," said Wasim, who played 104 Test matches for Pakistan.

Old ones out of touch

Akram said the board should avoid appointing "oldies" to key positions or on the selection committee as they were not in sync with the requirements of the contemporary cricket.

"We should have younger people on the selection committee as they would be able to fulfill their duties better," he said.

Incidentally the present set-up in the board has faced plenty of criticism over the presence of a large number of "oldies" in the establishment. PCB chairman Ejaz Butt himself is in his 70s, just like Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed, while national team coach Intikhab Alam is also in his 60s.

Qadir, who resigned as chief selector two days ago is in his 50s. The two other members of the selection committee - Shoaib Mohammad and Saleem Jaffer - played cricket in the 80s and 90s.

The former pacer is also against the idea of abolishing the honorary status of the national selectors' posts and giving them salaries.

"I think it is better to have people working on honorary basis. They should have people who have other jobs. Because someone who is working on a salary will always been under pressure to not annoy the board officials. He wouldn't be able to take independent decisions," Akram stated.

No talent crisis

He also believes that there was immense talent in Pakistan, and expressed willingness to help PCB in taping and grooming the same.

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"I am always available to give my services to the board in an advisory position as I don't have the time to accept any fulltime job. But if the board does not approach me for help I can't go to them and tell them I want to help them out," he said.

Qadir wanted a free-hand

Meanwhile, Qadir, who stepped down a day after Pakistan was trounced by England in the World Cup, said he had resigned because he was not allowed to work independently.

"I can't work under pressure. I have always wanted the best for Pakistan cricket and I did my job on merit. But I am not comfortable when I am not allowed to take my own decisions as chief selector," he told 'Jang' newspaper.

Message from a fan:

Espnstar.com surfer Talal Ahmed Siddique from Dubai writes in to wish Pakistan team luck for ICC World T20.

I am a die-hard fan of Pakistan team. I remember how Rashid Latif picked up the team when it was in disarray and then how Inzamam-ul Haq transformed it into a fighting unit which supported each other.

This is a different Pakistan team with a lot of challenges ahead. Pakistan have a lot of talent.

My request to Younis is to look at the best combination on merit. We won the last match but that counts for nothing when we play the next against Sri Lanka.

Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan are capable leaders and I wish them the best of luck.