LAHORE – The 52nd meeting of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Board ofGovernors (BoG) took place at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore onThursday, 7 February. The meeting lasted nearly six hours in which a widerange of matters were considered and discussed.
Pakistan men’s cricket
The BoG had a detailed and constructive discussion on the performance ofthe Pakistan cricket team and players’ selection criteria. Chief Selector,Inzamam-ul-Haq, and selection committee member, Wasim Haider, attended themeeting on special invitation and shared their thoughts, strategy andanalysis.
Inzamam informed the BoG that the broader selection guidelines andprinciples included player performances, conditions in which theperformances were recorded, judgement of the selectors and looking into thefuture. The chief selector admitted there was room for improvement in theteam’s performance across all three formats, but emphasised that the sidewas heading in the right direction since his panel took over in 2016. Hecited the examples of the teams’ past and present rankings, and assured theBoG that the youngsters were on the verge of establishing themselves as thecornerstone of Pakistan cricket’s future.
It was unanimously agreed that more stadia with upgraded cricketingfacilities that provide equal contest between the bat and the ball neededto be provided so that the cricketers can show their true mettle. It wasalso suggested that the scope of player education at the age-group levelshould be re-introduced and broadened so that the cricketers can play theirrole in improving and enhancing the image of Pakistan.
There was consensus in maintaining the primacy of domestic cricket, revivaland significance of junior cricket teams’ tours and reviewing the overallcricket scheduling to ensure the players’ workload was being bettermanaged. The BoG also noted the Pakistan cricket team played 50 days ofcricket in the past 123 days, including eight Tests, eight ODIs and nineT20Is with travel in between.
The BoG also thanked and appreciated Inzamam-ul-Haq and Wasim Haider fortheir briefing and termed the interaction informative.
“It was a positive interaction in which the BoG members got an opportunityto get firsthand information on the team’s performance and selectionprocess. A number of good suggestions were bounced off, which will be takenon board as part of our strategy to provide an environment to the Pakistancricket team where they can produce their best performances.
“The BoG was satisfied with the briefing and thanked Inzamam-ul-Haq andWasim Haider for providing their insight on the Pakistan cricket team. TheBoG has reiterated its support for the Pakistan cricket team and wishedthem well in the upcoming assignments,” PCB chairman Mr Ehsan Mani said.
Domestic cricket structure
The Task Force for the domestic cricket structure made a presentation tothe BoG on the proposed structure. The BoG expressed their satisfaction onthe progress made and agreed that the under consideration structure wascompetitive and will produce high quality cricket.
It was agreed that once the parameters and concept have been finalised andagreed, this will be presented to the BoG for approval before being rolledinto Pakistan cricket.
“I want to commend the Task Force on the progress they have made in the newproposed domestic cricket structure that focuses on quality over quantity,clarifies the role of the departments and, provides opportunities toimprove and enhance the capabilities and capacities of the regions. TheTask Force is making good progress and I think they will soon be able topresent the best model designed for Pakistan cricket to the BoG forapproval,” Mr Mani said.
Women’s cricket
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The BoG congratulated the Sindh government and the PCB for the successfulstaging of the West Indies women’s cricket team’s tour to Karachi for threeT20Is. The BoG also recorded its appreciation to Cricket West Indies foragreeing to send their side and supporting the PCB in its efforts to reviveinternational cricket in Pakistan.
The BoG was informed that the West Indies women’s were extremely satisfiedand happy with the arrangements and left for Dubai with a good and positiveimpression of Karachi and passion for cricket, including women’s cricket,in Pakistan.
The BoG also commended Sana Mir on becoming the first Asian and sixthoverall to complete 100 T20Is. The BoG also noted the women’s team’sperformance in the series and wished them well for the upcoming matches.
HBL Pakistan Super League
The BoG was updated on the arrangements for the HBL Pakistan Super League2019, which commences on 14 February in Dubai. The BoG was informed thatthe official anthem was launched on 18 January, while the event team wasworking hard on the opening ceremony at which a number of world renownedartists will perform, including Junoon and American rapper Pitbull.
The BoG was also briefed on the issues facing the franchisees and informedit that through the efforts of the PCB and the franchisees, the federalgovernment had given a tax exemption from 1 July 2019, while efforts wereunderway to get exemption or reduction in tax rates from the Punjabgovernment.
Other matters
The BoG approved the PCB’s Anti-Racism Code, which comes into effectimmediately with the HBL PSL 2019. The Code mirror’s the ICCAnti-Corruption Code with slight modifications.
It was agreed as part of good governance practices and transparency,quarterly financial statements will be shared and discussed at the futureBoG meetings.
The Board of Governors includes Ehsan Mani, Asad Ali Khan, MuzammilHussain, Javed Zia, Muhammad Ayaz Butt, Dr Najeeb Samie, Kabir Ahmed Khan,Shahrez Abdullah Khan, Shah Dost and Akbar Durrani.
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