Manager Intikhab warns players against graft, indiscipline

KARACHI - Pakistan cricket team’s newly appointed manager Intikhab Alam Friday said the team has been educated extensively on the perils of corruption and he will not hesitate to send players back home if they violated the code of conduct.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on the recommendation of the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a code of conduct Monday aimed at creating awareness amongst the players on anti-corruption laws.

In its understanding with the ICC, Pakistan has agreed to implement a special eight-point anti-corruption initiative.

Former Test captain Alam, who was the national team’s coach during the tour of Australia, said as the team manager he will play a role of strict headmaster.

“The message (to the players) is loud and clear. Enough is enough and the players will have to abide by the code of conduct,” he said.

“We have spelt out everything. The players will be given everything in writing as well. If something happens next time, they will not be able to say that they did not know anything about it.”

The burly Alam is normally seen as a father figure in Pakistan’s cricket circles and the 68-year-old said players will have to behave during the upcoming series against South Africa to be played in the United Arab Emirate (UAE).

“I will make sure that the players are disciplined during the tour. With the eyes of the cricket world on us, they will have to be at their best behaviour and prove Pakistan’s critics wrong,” he said.

Alam went on the say that he will not hesitate to send a player back home if there is any case of indiscipline.

“I hope I do not have to send anyone back home but I will not hesitate in doing that if such a need arises in the UAE,” he stressed.

But despite his stance against corruption, Alam insists that Pakistan cricket is “on the right track”.

“We are on the right track,” Intikhab told The News Friday.

“We have already taken several steps, according to the ICC guidelines and I am confident that the PCB will carry out all possible measures within the given deadline,” he added.

In a statement Oct 13, the ICC hinted at sanctions against Pakistan if it failed to adhere to the new guidelines. The ICC also declared that the PCB “must act and be seen to be acting to uphold the zero-tolerance attitude to corruption in sport”.

Alam, as Pakistan’s new manager, will be at the forefront of an exercise to keep his team’s players under control.

“That was a different role altogether,” he said. “I was looking after the team’s on-field activities. But as manager my job is totally different. I have to take care of the team off the field and let me make it clear that I intend to adopt a zero tolerance policy for indiscipline.”