FormerPakistanfast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who retired from international cricket two years ago, believes that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is largely responsible for the persisting problem of spot-fixing that is plaguing cricket in his country.

Speaking exclusively to Muscat Daily on the side-lines of a blood donation drive organised by Super Group of Companies inMuscatover the weekend, Akhtar said: “The main problem withPakistancricket is with the people who run the game there. The problem of spot-fixing was overlooked because we had a huge roster of multi-talented cricketers. The board was getting high on this free supply of talent."

“Honestly, I believe the PCB could have done so much better. But they went ahead and made a mess of themselves. I do believe that people who are competent should have come forward. They were larger than life, visionaries and could have done so much to eradicate it (spot-fixing). Unfortunately, that didn't happen.”

Commenting on the fate of his former team-mates Salman Butt, M Aamir and M Asif, who had to serve prison sentences for spot-fixing, Akhtar said: “When you are playing, the people around you will come and tempt you. I have also been approached during my playing days, but I have always shunned them, even though we were not that well paid.”

Akhtar also said that Ricky Ponting, the former Australian skipper, was the toughest batsman he had ever bowled to during his international career. Asserting that he takes more pride in having bowled to some great batsmen than having clocked the fastest delivery ever, he said: “I found it difficult to bowl to a number of batsmen, especially Inzamam (ul Haq), (Justin) Langer, (Adam) Gilchrist and Brian Lara. But for me, the toughest batsman would be Ricky Ponting.”

Akhtar added: “I am glad that I retired before Chris Gayle’s time.” The West Indian batsman had recently slammed the fastest T20 century in the ongoing IPL for Bangalore Royal Challengers.

In an international career spanning nearly 15 years, Akhtar made as much news off the field as his on-field exploits as a tearaway fast bowler, finishing with 178 Test wickets and 247 ODI scalps.

Looking back at those days of controversies, Akhtar said: “When a 19-year-old kid becomes famous, at his age, he needs guidance. In my case, that guidance was missing. And obviously, when you have no mentor, when you have nobody to guide you, you tend to slip out of the path. Since you are so much in the limelight, you are bound to take a wrong step here and there.”

Fondly known as Rawalpindi Express, the 37 year old said: “When you are a celebrity, you tend to be in the media spotlight. We are forced to live the rest of our lives in glass houses.” Akhtar, who made his debut in 1997 and retired after the 2011 World Cup, maintains that despite getting drawn into controversies throughout his career, he has always shared a good rapport with his teammates.“I have a really cordial relationship with all my teammates. I have always been helpful, and even today, I keep in touch with them,” said Akhtar.