Sethi said he will go to the West Indies to scrutinise the Pakistan cricket team on tour. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan are due to contest a limited-overs series – five One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20s – against the West Indies with Sethi, appointed the PCB interim chief after the suspension of Zaka Ashraf, making a visit to the Caribbean.
The announcement was made after the PCB Governing Board meeting yesterday.
“I asked the board about the pros and cons about visiting the West Indies,” said Sethi, following the meeting at the PCB headquarters in Lahore. “They said that I should go and see the team’s performance and make myself aware of the problems and issues there. Keeping this in mind, I have decided to make the trip that will last five to six days.”
Ironically, the chairman, who will make the team assessment, was unaware of his powers as he was showered with questions on the formation of the new selection committee, this year’s PCB budget or a possible change in the team management that comprises highly-paid foreign coaches.
Sethi said his role would become clearer after the court order.
“We are waiting for the detailed high court orders. I don’t want to take decisions that may get challenged. We’ll tackle these issues after my empowerment.”
On the new budget, Sethi said, “The [recent] Sindh High Court orders restrict me completely. But I’ve asked the chief financial officer to prepare a strong budget by cutting the board’s expenditure.”
However, the chairman’s announcement was not welcomed by a former cricketer.
“Will his tour be free of cost?” asked the former player. “What will be the use of his trip if his status is unclear? He’s doing what former chairmen did.”
Meanwhile, among the highlights of the meeting, a new code of conduct for the governing board members and match officials was approved.
The discussion on the sale of television rights was also
carried out and the board approved taking assistance from former International Cricket Council president Ehsan Mani on an honorary basis. The discussion on improving the state of domestic cricket also took place.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (20)
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What qualifies Mr. Sethi to hold this post? He has no understanding of cricket (as per himself!) has no experience of handling/running large organizations. His only qualification is shameless self promotion.
@Fudge: My main issue, and the reason for my comment, was the inference inherent in the news report that somehow Najam Sethi was taking this trip and causing unnecessary expenditure to PCB, and therefore there is a hint of dishonesty on his part. I do not know enough about the functions and workings of PCB to comment on the necessity, or a lack thereof, of Mr. Sethi's trip. I do know however, having read accounts during the last many years of his family vacations abroad, that he does not need, and being a man of integrity, will not unnecessarily subject, a public body with expenses of personal nature.
While we, as a public, need to be vigilant about public officials' expenditures, we should also be careful about not subjecting them with false accusations and innuendos, based on hearsay, and attributed to unnamed sources. Truth and honesty should be virtues that a civilized society should strive for and be beholden to at all times. Be well.
'"Powerless’ Sethi to make Caribbean cruise to keep check on national team." Let's hope he's not met by the Pirates of the Caribbean while on his cruise. Or let's hope, he does not run into Somali pirates.
Sethi has had it made. Enjoy.
Sethi enjoying, look at his hands like balay balay :D
Is it really THAT strange for the head of the cricket board to accompany the team on tour? No cricket board chairs ever do this?
Sethi Saaab, Sindh High Court is a fairly independent institute and doesn't have 'family relations' with folks in Punjab CM House or Jati Umra and they neither seem to give a damn to the 'Chirdya' )or is it 'charya'?) who has been helping you climbing up the ladder. Tough luck Sethi Saab, you've been 'Neutred' and that's done by the good folks right here in Karachi, Sindh, how does it feel?
Sethi saab can be an asset to bring back international cricket to Pakistan, he is well known and respected in the subcontinent, PCB should hold onto him for as long as they can, and in the interim perhaps he could speak to the BCCI and hold Pakistani international matches in Indian Kashmir and Punjab, where the people have an inexplicable affinity for Pakistan and the team could enjoy "home" support and help drive down the cost of holding these matches.
@Sohrab Karboy: "What would you suggest, that Mr. Sethi remain confined at home in Pakistan and do not give two hoots what Pakistan’s team does in West Indies???"
What twisted logic! A chairman who doesn't even know his role, his authority and powers is going to the Caribbean to make himself more aware! More aware of what? Even if he does make himself "more aware", he is not in a position to take any decisions, the support staff is already going to be there with the team. His job is not to coach the team, like another commentator said, he might as well know how the various associations are performing during this time instead of going on a free holiday. His job is more relevant there, not on a tour with team Pakistan.
Stop supporting an already very wrong move with you (even more) lofty comments.
Cmon guys, Poor Sethi has been asked by THE BOARD (which he heads himself), otherwise he would have never even thought about it. Thankyou sir for your great Sacrifice!!
We are already sending the whole team and paying for them so sending another person out there isn't a big issue, the issue is that the excuse that's being made is very lame.
@Syed: There is too much logic in your suggestion. It won't pass.
There is no need of this visit, some reports say that finances of PCB are very poor nd here we are, although it may not cost that much but yaa i agree with a comment above about visiting small clubs looking for talent instead of enjoying in carribbean. Although i dont hate sethi neither i criticize all the time but this trip is needless
Visiting Caribbean is my dream, wish I was Chairman PCB :)
Maujaan Karo Sethi Saab :P
Err Mr. Sethi, wasn't your life in danger a couple of days ago and you had to set up a studio within your house - referring to your interview with BBC. And now you're holding press conferences, visiting the Caribbean, et al without any fear of death threats. Would love to hear your comments on this.
@Fawad Hussain: Your article reeks of something is rotten in the State of Cricketistan, without actually telling us what it is. The foremost consideration for the Courts in appointing Mr. Najam Sethi as the Chairman of the PCB is his integrity, which you seem to be sullying by oblique remarks attributing it to "a former cricketer," who shall of course remain nameless. What would you suggest, that Mr. Sethi remain confined at home in Pakistan and do not give two hoots what Pakistan's team does in West Indies??? And, what exactly is the nameless "former cricketer" suggesting by asking "Will his tour be free of cost?" in a land where hordes of Ministers, Prime Ministers, Presidents, and other high officials customarily go on Umra and Hajj to the Holy Land on the backs of poor and deprived Pakistani masses costing the exchequer billions of Rupees???
To attack the reputation of decent individuals without solid proof and evidence is nothing but yellow journalism, something I do not expect from a reputable publication such as The Express Tribune.
So he is only going because board is insisting!! he will assess Misbah's forward defensive stroke and give him suggestions on how to rotate strike:)
Translation: A week's holiday in beautiful carribean on tax payer money.
Why not spend that week in southern punjab and interior sindh and inspect each and every club and city ground, to make sure if local associations are doing there job or not? After all thats where future Waqars and Inzis are... that is where people need good facilities for healthy activity!