KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Hanif Muhammad feels banned pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Muhammad Asif were the victims of the personal grudge by the Cricket Board appointed appeals committee, which was not neutral.
"The way the national cricketers have been punished was a source of embarrassment for all. If both players were at fault, they should be punished but the punishment should not be so severe that it could bring their career to end," Hanif said.
"I can say with full confidence that most of the batsmen in the world are fearful of Shoaib Akhtar. He is the fastest bowler in the world. In the absence of these bowlers, it would be hard for the Pakistan cricket team to reach the second round in the next year's World Cup," he was quoted as saying by the 'Daily Times'.
He also said Pakistani's victory against the West Indies in the Lahore Test should not blind them as Brian Lara was in excellent form and could pose serious threat to the Pakistani team.
Shoiab was banned for two year and Asif for one after the duo tested positive for banned steroid nandrolone in the PCB's internal dope test before the Champions Trophy.
