Hyderabad, April 26: With Pakistan fast slipping from the international cricket map given the reluctance of teams to tour the trouble-torn country, former cricket captain Asif Iqbal feels administrators in his adopted country have a tough task on hand.

"The situation in Pakistan is unfortunate. I think for a couple of years at least they will have to play at neutral venues," Asif, who migrated to Pakistan after playing domestic cricket in Hyderabad, said on the sidelines of the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s Platinum Jubilee function here on Sunday.

"They need to pick out countries which can host Pakistan’s ‘home’ games, and target centres which normally do not host Tests," the 65-year-old said.

However, as long as international teams kept their commitments, Asif had no complaints. "It is somewhat encouraging. As long as they continue to keep their commitments in the Future Tours Programme, it’s alright," he said.

Asif was incisive when asked to compare the current game with that of his times (1964-80). "During our days, playing cricket was a hobby, it was a gentleman’s game. Now, it’s an industry," he said.

The top order batsman also vented ire at the ICC for dropping Pakistan as one of the venues for the 2011 World Cup. "I’m very disappointed with the ICC’s decision. It was taken in haste... I mean the tournament is two years away and things can change by that time," Asif said.

He also criticised the cricket governing body for the BCCI-ICL stalemate. "The ICC is contradicting itself by saying ICL is a rebel series, and in the same breath is adding that it’s between the BCCI and ICL to sort out the differences," he pointed out.

Asif threw his weight behind players who had joined ICL and contended that they be allowed to join the mainstream. "I was among the players who had joined the rebel series floated by Kerry Packer in the 1970s. Why should a player be not allowed to earn extra money? When you can allow them to play county cricket in England and the Sheffield Shield in Australia, why not the ICL?" he questioned.

Asif was also stunned at the IPL being moved to South Africa. "I am amazed. The IPL is a domestic competition, just like the counties in England. I feel moving the tournament to SA has nothing to do with promoting cricket," he felt.

The 58-Test veteran would probably change his opinion if he looked at the large number of spectators that have been turning up for the games in the rainbow nation.