A marathon meeting of the governing body of the Pakistan Cricket Board discussed a number of issues but without coming to any final decision on key issues. The deliberations lasted for more than nine hours at the National Cricket Academy but no decision on the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer or coaches for the national team were made and even there has been no fruitful move of the proposed amendment in the constitution as recommended by the International Cricket Council.
The 21st meeting of governing board was held on November 29 at the National Cricket Academy under the Chairmanship of Ch Zaka Ashraf. Wazir Khoja, Mir Haider Talpur, Aamir Nawab, Ch Mohammad Anwar, Maj Gilani, Intikhab Alam, Javed Miandad, Subhan Ahmad (COO) and Badar Manzoor (CFO) attended the meeting.
However, the chairman took the governing board members into confidence regarding his visit to India later this month and also apprised them of his meetings with different heads of cricket boards during his stay in the UAE. The board recorded its appreciation for the contributions made by the outgoing Chairman Ijaz Butt to the PCB. “There was no discussion on appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer at the meeting,” a board official said. “It was nothing but speculation that Subhan Ahmad was going to be changed as COO. The bottom line is he is a hard worker and minds his own business, so I don’t think any of the board members have any issues with him. The Chairman also appears satisfied with the COO,” the member, who declined to be named, said.
The member also disclosed that there were no deliberations on appointing new coaches for the national team.
“What we have been told is that the PCB committee that was constituted to shortlist and recommend names for coaching positions has yet to complete its process,” the member said.
The member said that only after the committee headed by Intikhab Alam submits a shortlist of names to PCB chief, the issue will be discussed and approval of general body will be sought.
Several names have been floated around for the coaching positions including Australians Dean Jones and Dav Whatmore and South African Jonty Rhodes but nothing appears final.
The member said there was some discussion on steps needed to completely root out corruption from all levels of cricket in Pakistan and it was unanimously agreed that the PCB should show no leniency towards any player who indulges in corrupt practices.
The member said that there was consensus that Pakistan should take initiative to restore bilateral cricket ties with India and hopefully the visit of Ashraf to India in December will serve as a turning point for the sport in the subcontinent.
The Chairman briefed the board that during his recent visit to UAE he met Sharad Pawar, ICC President, Alan Issac, ICC Vice President, Dr. Julian Hunte, Chairman ICC Governance Committee. The meeting was in relation to the nomination for the next ICC President. Also, discussions were held on restarting Pakistan vs India series and about meeting with President Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Mustafa Kamal. Discussions were held on the nomination for President of ICC and Bangladesh team touring Pakistan next year. Also discussed was a tournament between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. President BCB invited PCB Chairman to visit Bangladesh in December during Pakistan team’s tour to Bangladesh.
In his meeting with ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat, they discussed matters like the constitutional amendment, revival of international cricket in Pakistan including cricket series between India and Pakistan and improvement in the working relationship between the PCB and ICC.
President of Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) HE Shaikh Al Nahayan assured full cooperation from his side for development and promotion of cricket in Pakistan. The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere.
He said that the meetings were also held with officials of ECB and Dubai Sports City including Abdur rehman Bukhatir, Khalid Zarooni, Abdurehman Falaknaz and Mohammad Redha Abdulla Abbas. The meetings were held to discuss matters like Pakistan home series being played at UAE and improvement in the facilities extended for current and future series of Pakistan.
The meetings were highly successful as could be observed from the positive media statements issued by ICC, he added.
Creation of a new Coordination Division in the PCB was approved for better coordination with government departments and within the PCB and to bring the grievances and inputs of Regional Cricket Associations and other domestic cricketing bodies at the PCB Chairman’s level. The Division would look after functions of PR, protocol and media.
A Benevolent Funds Policy was approved through which financial assistance will be available for people connected with cricket including players, umpires, scorers, sports journalists etc.
Detailed discussions were held on the amendments required in PCB’s Constitution to bring it in line with ICC’s Memorandum & Articles. Views of the Governing Board members regarding this matter were noted.
A presentation was given on four mega infrastructure projects currently underway i.e., Garhi Khuda Baksh stadium, Multan Cricket Academy, Karachi Cricket Academy and Pavilion Building at Pindi Stadium. The board expressed concerns at the delay in these projects and increase in costs. A committee comprising Mr Mir Haider Talpur and Mr Javed Miandad was formed to visit these projects and present their report.
The Board appreciated the steps being taken by PCB to revive international cricket in the country and expressed confidence in the new Chairman on his vision to take PCB to newer heights.
