Brisbane:
Pakistan’s chief selector Moin Khan today apologised to the country’s cricket fans for his casino visit on the eve of a crucial World Cup match for which he has been sent back home from the 50-over showpiece event.
Moin, who had clarified that he had only gone to the casino for a dinner outing, accepted his “inappropriate” choice of venue and said sorry for his actions that has offended millions of Pakistan cricket lovers.
“I had gone to a casino in Christchurch with friends and family to have dinner. In hindsight, the choice of venue for dinner was indeed inappropriate. It has offended the Pakistan public as well as cricket fans,” Moin said in a statement.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan has already launched an investigation into Moin’s visit to the Christchurch casino, which took place a day before the team’s Pool B game against the West Indies.
After a disappointing opening loss to arch-rivals India, Pakistan lost to the Caribbean side by 150 runs and are in a must-win situation going into the Zimbabwe game on Sunday.
“I have already explained my position to the PCB chairman and have apologized to him. He has asked me to return home to further clarify my position in person, which I have readily accepted,” added the former captain.
“Through this statement, I also apologise to the Pakistan public for my insensitivity in the choice of venue for dinner.”
Moin is likely to depart from Brisbane tomorrow and will meet the PCB chief in Lahore on Friday.
The former wicketkeeper-batsman’s expulsion from a World Cup is not a first for Pakistan.
Controversial speedster Shoaib Akhtar was sent home from the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007 after he hit fellow fast bowler Mohammad Asif with a bat.
