PCB doesn't want Shoaib anymore: Akram

New Delhi: The Twenty20 World Cup will be a huge opportunity for Pakistan cricket to make a statement after all their recent problems. But former captain Wasim Akram believes some of the problems Pakistan face is a failure of their own administrative structure. Wasim and former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar spoke to CNN-IBN Sports Editor Gaurav Kalra.

CNN-IBN: Wasim, you have spoken about how you rate Pakistan quite highly going into the T20 World Cup. Pakistan have had a stop-start season, but the fact that you pick them must be for a cricketing reason. What do you think is going in Pakistan's favour?

Wasim Akram: I have seen their recent performance against Australia. Although they lost the one-day series 2-3, they played very good cricket comparatively. They didn't look rusty, and they won the Twenty20 match comfortably. But for Twenty20 cricket, they have a good enough side - they have all-rounders, they have variety in Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Saeed Ajmal, who can bowl the doosra very well. Then of course we have Shahid Afridi. There is a lot of variety at Younis Khan's disposal. Pakistan has been playing Twenty20 cricket at the domestic level as well, where they frequently post big totals.

CNN-IBN: We are talking about T20 cricket and its prospects and you are talking happily about Pakistan cricket. But is there a fear in your heart as one of the greats of this game, about what is happening to your game and your country, are you worried? Tell us how all of this has impacted you.

Wasim Akram: Of course I'm worried like every other Pakistani. We all are worried. We love our cricket, we watched whatever happened to the Sri Lankan side. We all are very saddened. But we love this sport and cricket has to go on, sport has to go on.

CNN-IBN: Do you believe teams should come back to Pakistan and play?

Wasim Akram: Not in the near future. We have to assess the situation in six months' time and I'm sure things are getting better. Security will be better. And after a year, Pakistan Cricket Board can start asking teams to tour, of course with the help of ICC.

CNN-IBN: What do you feel, Sanjay? Wasim said you're almost an honorary Pakistan citizen and you have worked enormously in that country. There is a great amount of love for the game, but these incidents have feared cricketers. Cricketers are now genuinely fearful about going to Pakistan.

Sanjay Manjrekar: I think the onus finally is with the Pakistan government. It is something that is beyond Wasim's control. All of us can just be emotional about the issue, but finally, security has to be provided to every visitor. Basically, the situation in Pakistan has to improve, so that it doesn't become a country where there is constant turmoil. And once you have an option, like they had recently when they played Australia in Abu Dhabi, then most foreign teams would say 'Okay. We would love to play Pakistan but not in Pakistan'. So it's something that is beyond the reach of the players.

CNN-IBN: The other issue was the pulling of the World Cup already from Pakistan. Do you think that was a hasty decision?

Wasim Akram: I have my own opinion on that. I think I'd rather keep my gob shut on that one. But everybody knew this is going to happen. The PCB should have given them (ICC) the alternate venue, or told them, 'Okay. Give us six months. Let's assess the situation.' But that didn't happen.

CNN-IBN: I want to ask you about Shoaib Akhtar. Once again, he is out of the Twenty20 World Cup and this time it's not an injury, and it's something we can't even say on television, although the PCB has released a medical report of what is the problem with him, of having genital warts. Do you think he needs to be persisted with still, or does Pakistan now need to actually say bye-bye to the bad boy?

Wasim Akram: I know Shoaib very well. I think that was his last chance. I have been here for two weeks, so I don't know what's happening. I can only guess. And my guess would be, why that report came out was because Pakistan Cricket Board probably doesn't want Shoaib Akhtar any more. They have probably said 'enough is enough. We have been supporting you for the last 6-8 months.' He was with the team, he played the one-dayers, he bowled well with the new ball, his second spell was a problem. But for four overs he was good enough. But he blew it away again. That's Shoaib Akhtar. He's been very consistent in that.

Sanjay Manjrekar: Perfect for T20, is Shoaib. Loves to bowl just four overs, and you can only bowl four overs.

Wasim Akram: But then he can't walk.