Slamming the observation of an International Cricket Council committee that many great bowlers of the past chucked, Wasim Akram on Saturday said it was aimed at diverting attention from the real issue of chucking.
"Does ICC mean to say that all the bowlers who have played over the years are chuckers? I cannot understand what actually is going on? I think this is to divert the attention from real issues," the legendary left-arm seamer told reporters on the sidelines of a roadshow to create awareness about diabetes.
An ICC sub-committee had recently recommended a new rule allowing bowlers to straighten their arms by up to 15 degrees after thoroughly analysing actions of the bowlers of all generations with the assistance of sophisticated technology now available.
Akram also said ICC rules on chucking ought to be made simpler as even he with all the experience of playing cricket failed to make sense of the tolerance levels.
"It is very difficult for me to figure out what this tolerance level means. You are talking about 10 degree, 15 degrees, I cannot make sense from that. So if this is the case with a bowler who has played international cricket, how can a layman understand that? What we need is clear rules," he said.
The former Pakistan skipper also said ICC should be clear about who is bowling legally or otherwise so as to leave no doubt in the mind of the player.
"ICC should either ban a bowler who does not concur to the lawbooks or not ban him. Either you allow the bowler to play or decide otherwise. But there should be no uncertainty in this. There should not be a situation where the player is in doubt all over his career."
Akram also wondered how bio-mechancic tests could find whether a bowler chucked.
"This bio-mech test is all stupidity. It is a gimmick. I do not understand how by fixing so many pins on the body you will know that the bowling action is fine or not."
When asked about the two-match suspension slapped on Sourav Ganguly by the ICC, Akram said, "again, I do not understand why a decision is pending."
Akram was also critical about under-representation of Asians in ICC and said it smacked of "grave discrimination.
"Why there are a lot of South Africans, Australians and English people but hardly any Asians? We are generating more money, we are providing more talent. Still, why this discrimination?"
On Irfan Pathan, he said "he is a clever and hardworking player. He should aim to play for 10-15 years. He should aim big."
Akram was happy that the Pakistan team was finally back to its winning ways.
"Yes, thay had been struggling for some time. But, thankfully, they are now on right track. They have improved tremendously and they deserve credit for that," he said hoping that the team will win the upcoming series against Australia.
