KARACHI: Amidst confusion surrounding the appointment of the new Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, former chief of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Ehsan Mani believes the saga will badly affect the team’s performance against Sri Lanka.
Zaka Ashraf, president of the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, was appointed the PCB chairman after Ijaz Butt’s three-year tenure ended. But a delay in issuing the notification and a pending case against Ashraf in the Supreme Court has created confusion about his future.
But Mani, a seasoned administrator, called on ending the suspense regarding the PCB’s top post as the confusion will have a negative impact on the team, which is set to play a full-fledged series in the UAE, starting with the first Test in Abu Dhabi tomorrow.
“The situation is beyond my understanding,” Mani told The Express Tribune. “There’s a degree of uncertainty and it’s not an ideal start for the new PCB chairman. This will have an adverse affect on our cricket and will hurt the team’s performance.
“The team management, including coaches, are confused about their future which will disturb their focus,” added Mani.
‘Transparent process required for appointment’
Mani also lashed out at the process that saw President Asif Ali Zardari appoint the new PCB chairman.
“This process of appointment will be more destructive than the uncertainty.
“It has been made by the president without consulting any of the stakeholders. There are little chances of things becoming better when such a policy exists – something that does not happen anywhere else in the world.”
‘Role of regional associations can’t be ignored’
The 66-year-old urged that only deserving officials should get a chance to run the PCB. “If the president has to appoint the chairman, he should seek advice from people with a solid cricketing background.
“The role of officials from regional associations can’t be ignored because they understand the issues facing cricket.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2011.
COMMENTS (4)
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Sports should be free from political interference.Hence the appointment of the Chief of PCB by the President Zardari does not augur well for the progress of cricket in Pakistan.One who should have been appointed as the Chairman of PCB is Ehsan Mani whose expert knowledge and valuable experience in the domain of cricket administration would have undoubtedly bolstered Pakistani cricket.
Mr Zardari has done this to virtually all the institutions, with him in the seat the future of Pakistan is bleak to say the least.
Hi fawwad,I am much pleased to see your current article (news story) on New PCB chairman saga, in The Tribune,keep it up and God bless you. Regards, Jamil siraj,Khi. @0300-2891860
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