Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has blasted the ICC [International Cricket Council] for “successfully finishing cricket”.

Commending the governing body on a “job well done”, Akhtar said that the ICC has been directly responsible for bringing down the quality of cricket.

“Can I tell you something bluntly” Akhtar asked Sanjay Manjrekar, during a podcast on ESPNcricinfo. “They (ICC) are finishing the cricket. I am openly saying that in the last 10 years, ICC has successfully finished cricket, and I would say, ‘job well done, guys’. Jo socha tha aapne, woh kiya (you did what you intended to do).”

Akhtar especially called out the ICC for the one bouncer per over rule, which he felt was unevenly tilting the scales in the favour of batsmen, existing as it does alongside the two new white ball rule and the numerous fielding restrictions.

“I have been saying repeatedly that change the bouncer rule,” Akhtar said. “You have two new balls and four fielders outside. Please ask ICC whether in the last 10 years, the quality of cricket has gone up or gone down. Where are those Sachin v Shoaib contests?”