Former South African skipper Shaun Pollock on Wednesday said if poor performance was criteria for handing out bans to Pakistani cricketers then the punishment is a "bit harsh".
The PCB invoked indefinite bans on Mohammed Yousuf and Younus Khan and also imposed one-year bans on Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan on the recommendations of the inquiry committee which probed their flop show Down Under.
The Akmal brothers Kamran and Umar and Shahid Afridi were put under observation and imposed heavy fines.
"I don't know. If that's the reason that they lost in Australia so they are banned then its a bit too harsh. Elevens players make a team and they all have to perform. I don't know what the review system is but its not easy to comment when you don't know the truth is," said a shocked Pollock, when informed about the ban.
Pollock, who is in Abu Dhabi as an academy member for the Laureus Sport Award, also feels that Umpire referral system requires some fine-tuning to give better results.
"Certain things needs to be adjusted. We all want right decisions to be made so we have to ensure that the technology we use can get all in perfect place.
"Tennis have implemented it and there is no discussion on that. When something new is implemented it is difficult to change people but one year down the lane if you can get everything in line, it is good technology and can help the game," he said.
Pollock said the South African team has the firepower to excel and dominate world cricket in the next two years.
"I don't watch as much cricket as I used to as I have some other focuses but it is really nice to see the guys doing well. The team have moved on in the last 10 years. They have the team to dominate in the next two years. It would be good time for South Africa in future," he said