We don't need to run after India all the time - Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar

According to NDTV, former Pakistani bowling great Shoaib Akhtar has stated that the Pakistani Cricket board should look at improving the national side rather than trying to normalize relationship with the BCCI.

The news comes in the wake of the Indian government rejecting visa applications of the players of Pakistani side Faisalabad Wolves, who were set to participate in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament.

“I am not surprised that the Indians have not issued visas to the Faisalabad Wolves team for the Champions League. The fact is that until and unless we have normal and friendly relations at the government to government level why do we expect the Indian cricket board to be supportive.

“I have always said that we don’t need to run after India all the time and we need to stop begging on different issues whether it is resumption of bilateral cricket ties, allowing our players for the IPL or our team for the Champions League,” Akhtar said.

Akthar also stressed on the fact that the national side could certainly do with some strengthening.

“(what we will lose?) A few hundred thousand dollars. But it is time we stopped going after India all the time. We need to start setting our house in order and strengthening our own domestic cricket and infrastructure.

“We need to concentrate on building up our cricket structure and building up a world class side. When we have a world class side everyone will not only want to play against us but on our terms as well,” he said.