Imran Khan stresses on importance of ‘merit’ in meeting with Ehsan Mani

Prime minister believes that political influence is detrimental to smooth working of PCB

KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has conveyed his desire about upholding merit within the Pakistan cricket in a meeting with PCB chairman nominee Ehsan Mani.

According to Daily Express, Premier Khan has asked Mani — former International Cricket Council (ICC) President — to ensure that the overall PCB structure is improved while also stressing on the importance of merit.

He added that the board must run in a manner which stays devoid of any sort of political influence because it has hampered the smooth working of the organization in the past.

“Unnecessary political influence has ruined cricket in Pakistan,” Khan said. “I will give you [Mani] full authority but I expect positive results in return.”

The prime minister further stated: “There is no shortage of talent in Pakistan but we need to put in the hard yards and promote merit within the board to bring forth the stars of the future.”

Speaking on this occasion, Mani said that — if selected — he would try his level best to manage PCB in accordance with the expectations of the prime minister.

“I hope that the Board of Governors (BoG) will support me in the upcoming elections,” he said. “I’m hopeful that under PM Khan’s leadership, PCB will work on basis of merit.”

Earlier after the resignation tendered by Najam Sethi, PM Khan nominated Mani as the new chairman of PCB and praising his pick, the newly-elected premier wrote on Twitter: “He [Ehsan Mani] brings vast and valuable experience to the job. He represented PCB in the ICC; was treasurer ICC for three years and then headed the ICC for another three years.”