Controversial former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz has raked up yet another controversy by alleging that the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is actually favouring India in the World Cup. According to Nawaz, the pitches on which India have played so far, have been tailor-made to suit the strength of the defending champions. India are so far unbeaten in the tournament, having defeated Pakistan at Adelaide, South Africa at Melbourne, and UAE at Perth. All wins have been achieved by handsome margins.
Unimpressed by the development, Nawaz minced no words and told a news channel, " Take a look at the matches played so far in this World Cup. Wherever India has played the pitches have been prepared to suit their strengths." On the other hand, Nawaz believed that the Pakistani team were actually being made to play on pitches that were tough for them.
Referring to the game against Zimbabwe on said, he said that the stark contrast between the conditions given to India and Pakistan was evident. "Look at today's match the pitch was double paced and had lot of bounce which goes against our strengths. I would ask the Pakistan Cricket Board to take up this issue with the ICC and find out what is going on," Nawaz was quoted as saying in a PTI report.
Nawaz went to the extent of stating that Pakistan must go ahead a lodge a protest with the ICC, since it is clear that the sport's governing body is actually supporting the Indians in the tournament. He went on to point out that this was the same Indian team that had struggled miserably in both Tests and ODIs in the country recently, and found it strange how the team's fortunes have turned so drastically. Nawaz also expressed disappointment at the overall quality of the pitches, which he termed as either too batsman friendly or too bowler friendly.
Interestingly, Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who was also part of the panel on which Nawaz made these controversial statements refused to comment on the issue. He preferred to dwell on the positives from Pakistan's win over Zimbabwe.
Who is Sarfraz Nawaz?
A highly volatile former Pakistan fast bowler, Nawaz played 55 Tests and 45 ODIs for his country, claiming 177 and 63 wickets respectively. During his playing days as well, he was renowned for being in the news through his controversial, and sometimes bizarre statements.
--By A Cricket Correspondent
