Former PCB chief Butt sees 'indiscipline' returning to national team

Karachi -  Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt has said indiscipline and dressing-room disunity that was curbed during his tenure, is likely to make a comeback in the Pakistan team.

Butt, who served as the board's chief from 2008 to 2011, claimed credit for abolishing player-power during his tenure.

During Butt's tenure, the board handed out several bans and fines relating to discipline and under performing issues, including the action against seven cricketers, including Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik.

"I've heard that discipline issues are creeping up in the team again. I took strict action against the players involved, but now they're being recalled that may create a similar situation again," The Express Tribune quoted Butt, as saying.

"For instance, the decision to recall Kamran (to the national squad for the 2012 World Twenty20), who was sidelined during my tenure because of indiscipline, is a strange one. When he was dropped after poor performance in a Test against Australia, Umar feigned injury to protest against his brother's omission. We took strict action against both and such decisions helped us curb player-power," he added.

"Even if we persisted with them because of their ability, we kept a strict eye on them. Now, with the same people in the squad, it may give birth to groupings once again," he added.