PCB to take action against Akmal brothers

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has initiated a preliminary inquiry into the statements given by Akmal brothers - Kamran and Umar - to the Australian media, allegedly showing the Pakistani team and the PCB in poor light.

"We have started a preliminary inquiry and already planned to take action against the two for their irresponsible statements when they return from Australia. This matter would be pursued further by the board after their arrival," PCB chairman Ejaz Butt said.

While Kamran kept on insisting that he would play the third Test in Hobart after faring poorly in the second Test in Sydney where he dropped four catches and missed a stumping chance, Umar apparently tried to fake an injury to avoid playing in the third Test to support his elder brother.

Butt said the board will review the team's poor show in the Test series against Australia and then decide on the future course of action.

However, he maintained that it would not make sense to bring about changes in the side or the management in the middle of a tour.

"When the team returns from Australia, we will review the performances of the captain, coach, players and the management and then decide on our future course of action," he added.

Butt, a former Test player himself, also said that dropping senior players and bringing in youngsters at this stage is not an advisable step.

"I don't think a policy of dropping all seniors and pushing youngsters into the side at one go is advisable. We will patiently and properly review the performance of the team and then decide what to do. We must not panic," he said.

He also confirmed that the board is looking for a professional batting coach as demanded by players.

Pakistan captain Muhammad Yousuf and other former players have advised board to appoint a specialist batting coach to resolve the batting woes of the side.