PCB official Shakil Sheikh calls Wasim Akram "King of Betting"

Pakistan Cricket Board official Shakil Sheikh has hit back at Wasim Akram after the former Pakistan captain questioned PCB’s decision to form an inquiry committee on team’s awful show in the recently concluded Asia Cap T20 in Bangladesh. He even threatened to open old files related to the legendary left-arm pacer’s alleged involvement in match fixing.

Wasim is not “King of Swing”, I think he is the “King of Betting” – Sheikh

PCB’s inquiry committee head Sheikh was clearly irked by Akram’s questions over the inquiry committee in a recent interview and even called him “King of Betting”. He said, "I don't think Wasim is 'King of Swing'. I think he is 'King of Betting'. He should think before criticizing anyone because his past is known to all and old files in the board can be opened,"

Sheikh is also the head of the Islamabad regional cricket association made references to Akram’s being linked to betting in cricket. As far as old files are concerned, he was referring to report submitted by Justice Malik Qayyum on match fixing in early 2000.

The legendary fast bowler also lamented the state of domestic cricket and said that the person heading the domestic cricket committee which is “coincidentally” Sheikh had not ever held a cricket bat properly. In his strong comments, Akram was clearly very disappointed with the state of Pakistan cricket.

Angried by Akram’s comments, Sheikh not only threatened Akram to open old files but also accused Akram of using his mentor and former captain, Imran Khan to get coaching jobs in IPL. Sheikh went on to allege that the former captain secured sponsors himself and then pressurized the board into permitting him to hold fast bowling camps.

Sheikh is a member of the PCB’s board of governing also ridiculed Akram’s claims and claimed that he had played plenty of competitive cricket and once even hit Wasim for two sixes in a match in Islamabad.

Sheikh who has a reputation for using harsh words against former players in the past but failed to give a satisfactory answer when reminded that the PCB had appointed Wasim as brand ambassador for the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Wasim retired from international cricket in 2009 and since then he has become a cricket commentator and pundit. He is also on the coaching panel of the Kolkata Knight Riders. He was also appointed Director of cricket of the Islamabad United team which went on to win the Pakistan Super League title in the UAE.