LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday formed a special committee to oversee the cricketing affairs, including the appointment of selection committee and coaches apart from the playing conditions for domestic matches.
According to a notification issued by the board, former cricketer and selector Mohsin Hassan Khan will serve as the chairman of the special committee. Former captains Wasim Akram, Misbahul Haq and Urooj Mumtaz are the other three members of the committee.
The PCB said its special committee would assist and advise the PCB chairman in the review of the plans for promotion and conduct of game of cricket at all levels in the country.
The terms of reference (ToRs) for the committee include formulating playing conditions for domestic matches, overseeing appointment of selection committees, overseeing the appointment of national team coaches.
The four-member committee will meet the chief selector and coach (men, women and junior teams) three times a year, and review plans for the development of umpires, referees and curators.
The committee will also receive an annual assessment of performance from the management on umpires and referees. It will be responsible for the preparation and quality of pitches, the condition of playing facilities (dressing rooms, practice facilities including net wickets), and giving views on any other matter referred by the chairman.
Former cricketers Mudassar Nazar, Haroon Rasheed, and Zakir Khan will assist the committee in carrying out its functions. Zakir Khan will serve as international cricket director, Haroon Rasheed will act as domestic cricket director, while Mudassar Nazar will perform duties as director academies.
‘NO FAVOURITISM’:
Speaking on this occasion Mohsin Khan said that the committee will try to work for the betterment of Pakistan cricket while also ensuring that there is no favouritism.
“We will work on the basis of merit and ensure that there is no element of favouritism in our work,” he said.
Mohsin also responded to a question about his stance on the Justice Qayyum Report — released in May 2000 regarding match-fixing — and the players named in it.
“During meeting with PCB Chairman I shared my reservations over Justice Qayyum Report but he told me that report wasn’t authentic and no decision was later made,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wasim Akram stressed the need for improving domestic cricket.
“I will try to utilise the experience I have gained from coaching and managerial work in the past 7-8 years,” he said. “We have to improve our domestic cricket by focusing on quality rather than quantity. We also have to educate players regarding how to handle media.”
Misbahul Haq also expressed his concerns about domestic cricket.
“I’m currently playing domestic cricket which gives me enough insight on the problems faced by players. I will highlight those as it’s a good opportunity for me to serve Pakistan Cricket,” he said.