Friday, December 21, 2001 The ministry of silly statements is at it again. No one, it seems, ever lost money by underestimating the ignorance of the public. But neither do you build confidence by insulting the public's intelligence.

In its ongoing battle to salvage Shoaib Akhtar's career, the Pakistan Cricket Board has again written to ICC asking for his case to be considered on medical grounds. This is part of the PCB's strategy to follow the Dalmiya model of cricket administration. It also involves picking Shoaib for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh and snubbing Michael Holding, ICC's appointed advisor for stage two of the bowling review process.

There is no deception in this aspect of the PCB's approach - it is steering a course for a head-on collision. What is incredible, however, is that ICC's reply has arrived at PCB headquarters in Lahore but no one appears to have read it.

"I don't know what is in the letter or what position the ICC has taken. Due to Eid holidays the board offices have been closed. But, yes, we have got a response from them."

This is not the statement of a janitor disturbed while sweeping the marble steps that lead up to the board's offices at Gaddafi Stadium. Nor is it the view of one of the straight-backed soldiers who guard those steps. These are the words, rather shamefully, of the chairman of the board, Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia.

You know you have a response, but the board offices are closed? You know you have received a letter on this issue from ICC, but you do not know what it says? You are, are you not, the head of the organisation? This is, is it not, the most pressing issue of the day?

The general is an intelligent fellow. When he looks in the mirror each morning he knows who he is looking at. That is the level of intelligence needed to pick holes in his stonewalling over ICC's letter. And the general is far, far smarter than that.

But the point of this is not to mock the general. It is to highlight the problem at the heart of his board. This compulsion to speak with forked tongue is a disgrace. He is badly advised on this as he is on many other things - such as what is the best approach to secure Shoaib's career.

Not to engage Holding is a mistake. He would be an invaluable ally in the battles ahead. Anyone who has ever seen the University of Western Australia's report on Shoaib cannot fail to be convinced of the bowler's case. Why wouldn't Holding?

The PCB is right to defend Shoaib on medical grounds, but it is misguided in dismissing the process available to it as irrelevant. Yet neither organisation is emerging from this impasse with honour. ICC is confirming the inflexibility and lack of common sense in its processes. PCB is underlining its immaturity in dealing with major issues.

But if Tauqir Zia thinks he can imitate his pal Jagmohan Dalmiya and stare down the ICC, he is mistaken. Pakistan simply does not have the financial clout.

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