The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided not to go against the International Cricket Council ruling that bars government interference in the board’s matters. The ICC annual conference upheld a constitutional amendment last week to provide for the principle of free elections and the independence of member boards. In Pakistan, the president is the chief patron of the board (PCB) and directly appoints the chairman.
“The ICC ruling has come from the general house and there won’t be any intention to challenge the ruling,” PCB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad said. The PCB would soon meet with government officials to inform them about the ICC ruling. “Once our chairman Ijaz Butt returns home later this month he will brief the chief patron on the changed scenario,” Ahmad was quoted by a wire agency.
The ICC has given members a maximum of two years to reorganise their boards or face sanctions. Ahmad said that after consulting legal advisors and meeting government official the PCB would start working on making the necessary amendments in its constitution to bring it in line with ICC requirements. “It will take a few months but we also want to ensure this process is completed without a hitch,” he added. Lat month, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt called for an end to political interference in the board’s row with former captain Shahid Afridi.