Pakistan facing biggest crisis, says Imran

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Pakistan cricket is facing its  biggest crisis and the team stand little chance of winning the  2011 World Cup without fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad  Asif, former captain Imran Khan said yesterday.

Unable to host international cricket due to the volatile  security situation at home, Pakistan suffered another blow when  Amir and Asif and former test captain Salman Butt were suspended  by the International Cricket Council following allegations of  spot-fixing in the fourth test against England this year.

Wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider then left the squad in Dubai  last month and fled to London, seeking asylum and saying he was  being threatened by people who wanted him to co-operate in  fixing matches.

“Cricket in Pakistan faces its biggest crisis and so does  the country,” Imran told reporters.

“Sadly, the patron of the (Pakistan Cricket) Board is the  president (of the country) and the less I say of him, the  better,” said the cricketer-turned-politician.

“We are in a mess. We have the talent but we want to know  the verdict on Mohammad Asif and Mohammed Amir.

“They are arguably the best opening pair of bowlers…I have  seen both Wasim (Akram) and Amir and I can tell you Amir is  ahead of what Wasim was at this age…Without  those two, our  bowling is not potent,” added Imran, whose charismatic captaincy  was crucial in securing Pakistan’s only World Cup triumph in  1992.

The former all-rounder, however, has not lost all hope of a  turnaround.

“(Pakistan’s ODI captain) Shahid Afridi is someone, probably  the only one, who can pull off something out of the ordinary.  Pakistan have their back against wall,” Imran said.

“Afridi is unpredictable. If he can hit a purple patch — in  one-dayers you need just two quality batsmen to hit a purple  patch and rest can rally around…

“Pakistan is very unpredictable but it’s not the best of  time,” he said.