Pak senators ask for special hearing on Akhtar ban

A day after four members of Pakistan’s national assembly called for a discussion on the five-year ban on Shoaib Akhtar, three senators also demanded a special hearing on the punishment handed out to the maverick pacer and a debate on the state of cricket in the country.

Senator Enver Baig, who belongs to the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, and two of his colleagues submitted a requisition to the chairman of the Senate standing committee on sports and culture on Thursday asking for a discussion on the ban imposed on the fast bowler.

The senators have also demanded that a charge sheet be made against Akhtar and his reply to be submitted for deliberations.

Baig said the performance of the Pakistan team should also be discussed on the hearing dates, which would be announced soon. Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, who had termed the ban as “harsh”, demanded the new government disband the current board and appoint a new set-up on “more democratic lines”.