The earlier start to proceedings and the correct call at the coin toss gave SNGPL a huge advantage with Hafeez striking an excellent 62 to help his side beat HBL on Tuesday. PHOTO: FILE AFP
KARACHI:
Former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for changing the schedule of its President’s Cup one-day tournament to accommodate coverage of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
The semi-final between HBL and SNGPL on Wednesday was forced to start an hour earlier after the broadcaster’s directive to accommodate live coverage of the IPL match that was due to start later in the afternoon.
The rescheduling changed the face of the semi-final as the coin toss proved crucial. The match, which was tipped to be a contest between two evenly-matched sides, was dominated by SNGPL after they chose to field first.
Several players and officials from both sides criticised the decision and lamented that the PCB undermined a national event for IPL.
Mani termed the players’ grievance fair.
“It’s the time to promote domestic cricket and not to undermine it,” Mani told The Express Tribune. “It’s very embarrassing for players especially for budding cricketers. The PCB is responsible for safeguarding and promoting domestic cricket because we’re not hosting any international events at the moment.”
Mani added the board cannot be run fairly under the current set-up.
“The problem lies at the very basic level. The process of hiring the chairman is flawed. There is no accountability of a chairman because he is handpicked by the country’s president. We will continue to face such embarrassments and mismanagements until we develop things in order.”
Action against Ghauri ‘appropriate’
Meanwhile, Mani backed the decision of a four-year ban on international umpire Nadeem Ghauri.
The PCB imposed the ban on Ghauri and another domestic umpire Anis Siddiqui after a sting operation by India TV found them willing to make favourable decisions.
“Ghauri is an experienced umpire and was in the ICC panel when I was the president. His excuse that he has been punished for a crime he has not committed is unacceptable.
“The approach was clear in the conversation and an umpire with his experience and status should have reported it to the relevant officials straightaway. If I was the authority, I would have banned him for life.
“We need to send a strong message to the outside world that we have absolutely no tolerance for corruption.”
Mani also suggested the board to monitor the players and officials closely in domestic tournaments amid reports of foul-play during the ongoing season.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2013.
COMMENTS (5)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@HopeNChange: 1. Atal Bihari Vajpeyee visited Pakistan and got Kargil. So no point visiting Pakistan until civilian government is in charge of affairs when dealing with India which is not going to happen any sooner. 2. There is absolutely no market of Pakistani movies in India except one or two like "Khuda Ke Liye" so no cinema hall owner in India would take a risk. On the side note, are Pakistani cinema hall owners taking risk by showing Pakistani movies? 3. Security situation is terrible in Pakistan and no country, who loves its sport personals, would play in Pakistan right now. Even Bangladesh refused so why should you expect Indian team to come and play. 4. Indians do like Pakistani artists otherwise Nusrat FAteh Ali Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan etc could not be hugely popular in India. 5. Could you please cite an example of back stabbing by India? Kargill is one example where Pakistan government back stabbed India by attacking inside Indian territory.
We have no right to complain or be surprised at our current state of affairs, when we ourselve don't protect and take care of our interest. It should be other way around there should be Pakistan league played at exact same time as IPL. We have nothing to lose....
The Broadcaster who forced matches to start 1 hour earlier GEO...the same channel who dictates politician on how to be patriotic. Now the same channel is forcing domestic tournament to start earlier..everyone know what that stupid GEO channel stand for and who fund them. ET should be brave enough to name the channel also.
Mani Sahib, Pakistanis do a lot more embarrassing things than that. For example:
Our leaders force themselves on Indians by visiting them when there are absolutely clear indications from other side that they don't want them. We play Indian movies & allow Indian channels when no Pakistani movie or channel is allowed in India. We beg them to play cricket on their own territory or neutral ground. We shower love/praise over Bollywood actresses/ actors when they openly spew venom & show their hatred for Pakistan. We want CBMs when they openly back stab Pakistan whenever an opportunity arises.Should I go on???