PCB issues gag order for cricketers

Hobart, Jan 14 (IANS) Stung by a controversy involving vice-captain Kamran Akmal and the disastrous 36-run loss in Sydney, Pakistan have issued a gag order to its players.

Mohammad Yousuf, the Pakistan captain, said in an interview here that his players have been told not to talk to the media without prior permission from the team officials.

"We have told them to keep quiet and only talk to the media after getting permission from the team management," Yousuf was quoted as saying by The News Thursday.

"Once permission is granted, the players should be with the team manager (Abdul Raqeeb) at the time of interview."

Yousuf said that the step has been taken after his team attracted a lot of negative publicity on the issue of Akmal - the embattled gloveman who was sacked for the Hobart Test following his poor showing behind the stumps in Sydney.

Kamran was quoted as saying he has the support of his fellow players and the team management and will play in the final Test. He kept repeating those comments even as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the team officials announced that Kamran will be replaced by young wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed here at the Bellerive Oval.

Yousuf played down the issue saying that sometimes the players are misquoted or they are aware that they are talking to a media person.

"I'm sure there was a lot of misunderstanding over the last few days," he said. "That's why we have decided that enough is enough. Now even the vice-captain will not be allowed to talk to the media."