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Former Pakistan medium-fast bowler Sikander Bakht is in town as one of the six television commentators covering the ongoing inaugural Asian Test Championship final.

Born on August 25, 1957, in Karachi, Sikander played 26 Test matches for Pakistan from 1976 to 1983 and captured 67 wickets at an average of 36.00. The tall handsome cricketer also played 27 one-dayers for Pakistan from 1977 to 1989 and bagged 33 wickets.

After retiring from active cricket, Sikander emerged as a popular commentator in Urdu and had been serving Pakistan Television until he was included in the Start Sports commentary team early this year.

Although he does not play cricket any more, Sikander has deep concern for the future of the game. During an interview yesterday with The Daily Star correspondent Hasan Masood, the former Pakistan cricketer talked on many aspects of the game.

The Daily Star (DS): This is your second trip to Bangladesh. Earlier you came as a cricketer and now you are a commentator. Which do you enjoy more?

Sikander Bakht (SB): To tell you honestly, when I was here the last time in 1980, I didn't play any match. We had some problems and we couldn't play any matches on that tour. There was a match in Dhaka against the Bangladesh side and it could not be played. Now I am here as a commentator. So, I can't say much about the difference - I mean - as I didn't play.

DS: How do you assess the concept of holding this Asian Test Championship? Is it okay with you?

SB: The concept is very good. The only thing they have to do is make some changes in the system, the points system. As you have seen, people were expecting India to play against Pakistan in the final here at Dhaka. But, as we all know, at Lahore, the Pakistanis influenced the result. They had a choice because they had beaten the Indians. So they had Sri Lanka in the final of their own choice. That's not good for cricket and obviously for the spectators, for the viewers, everyone. So, I think they have to go for some changes in the points system. Plus, whenever there is an Asian Championship, the league match between India and Pakistan should be played last, so that nobody can influence the result.

DS: Don't you think the points system should be applied in both the innings?

SB: If somebody wins a match, there is no need for (bonus) points in the second innings. But you must have some incentives in the second innings so that the teams go for a result - at least go for those points. This system in First Class cricket in Pakistan always has a problem. Whenever a team gets a chance to force a certain team out of the tournament, they play a fixed kind of a match. It's not the money which is involved, it's the strategy. They play in such a way that a good team can stay away from the final or the semifinals. So, it will always happen and it will always be like this. You have to change that and there are some people who are working on it. I am sure in the future we are going to see some good points system.

DS: Do you have any suggestions?

SB: They should have bonus points for the (first) 100 overs in the second innings also so that the teams can go and fight for the points in the second innings too. In that case the second innings will not be that dull; like somebody took a lead, got good points and played for a draw in the second innings. But if you have points, they might go for that and there might be more excitement.

DS: One-day cricket is ruining Test cricket. Do you agree with this statement?

SB: Yes, one-day game is affecting Test cricket. First of all, you are getting results in the one-dayers. That's the best part of it because the players will get more aggressive. But the class of batting is missing. We don't see players like Sunil Gavaskar, Geoffrey Boycott and Ian Chappell any more. Most of the batsmen who are playing are aggressive. They like to play in the air. Even five years ago, players were not used to playing in the air. They played rolling shots. That's the big difference and I think we are missing classic batting.

On the other hand, one-day matches have influenced Test matches in terms of getting results. People love to go and see result-oriented matches rather than sitting there and waiting for a draw.

DS: People are not very happy with the way Pakistan cricket is going. Even some have doubts whether Pakistan can do well in the forthcoming World Cup. Can you comment on that?

SB: Yes, of course, there was a problem as long as Wasim Akram was not captain. But now they have done a good thing - very wisely they have appointed Wasim Akram as the captain of the side. And obviously he is the man who is leading from the front. And, whenever he is the captain, he bowls well and he is the main strike bowler for Pakistan. You have already seen that in the last three Test matches. Pakistan team is combining now and they are playing well. I'm sure they are going to surprise everyone in the World Cup.

DS: How do you see the exclusion of Salim Malik and Aamir Sohail from the World Cup probables?

SB: Salim Malik was not scoring runs and, secondly, age is not on his side. That's why he has been dropped from the side. As far as I'm concerned, his days are over. And Aamir Sohail was not attending the camp. He has been giving statements against Pakistani cricketers, which is not good. If you bring him in the side, there will be a rift in the team which is not healthy for the team. That's why the selectors kept him away from the squad to keep the team united without any problems and in-fighting. I also praise the Pakistan board for brining in a lot of youngsters who are performing well and will gradually occupy the places of those seniors.

DS: Do you think Aamir Sohail's complaints are true?

SB: I don't know because ever since I know him, he has been making complaints and statements, which is his nature. Usually I don't pay notice to his complaints.

DS: What is the future of the Quayum Commission, which is investigating Pakistan cricket's bribery scandal?

SB: I don't know much about it. I'm not involved in it. I'm also not a part of the investigations. As I haven't seen anything, I don't believe this. I haven't seen anyone taking bribes or being involved in that. I don't think there is any truth in it. As far as the commission is concerned, it knows better than me.