Sethi temporarily reinstated as PCB chief
Talks resume for South Africa tour, T20 squad likely to be named soon .
PCB Chairman Najam Sethi hopes to revive South Africa tour following reinstatement orders by Islamabad High Court, the tour will follow the on-going series between the two teams taking place in UAE. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
The Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) orders to reinstate Najam Sethi as chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Interim Management Committee (IMC) has apparently and temporarily brought the game’s governing body back to life.
According to PCB lawyer Tafazzul Rizvi, Sethi is once again eligible to continue work as chairman of the body.
“The argument was made during the hearing that several important decisions were pending due to the chairman’s suspension,” Rizvi told The Express Tribune after the hearing.
Sethi will remain in charge until the conclusion of the ogoing court appeal in the next hearing set for November 7.
On Sunday, Sethi declared that the PCB was in ‘deep crisis’ and some extremely important issues remained unresolved — ranging from domestic to international affairs.
He added that the PCB lost the chance to earn $1.5 million after it had to defer talks of a return tour to South Africa which was to follow the on-going series in the UAE.
Sethi had also revealed that national selectors were among 89 employees who had to depart as there was no authority left to reinstate them following the expiry of their contracts on October 31.
‘South Africa tour still a possibility’
It was learnt that Sethi, after regaining powers, immediately started working as an interim chairman.
His first priority is to resume correspondence with Cricket South Africa (CSA) in an attempt to revive the chance of a return tour that was scrapped after his suspension.
The CSA offered the PCB $1.5 million to host Pakistan in the second-half of this month for a One-Day-International and Twenty20 series.
“Talks have been revived and the CSA has given a positive response,” an official told The Express Tribune.
“A minor change can be made in the schedule while the PCB might be forced to settle for a smaller amount compared to the one promised earlier.”
He said the decision regarding the tour was expected in a couple of days.
Meanwhile, the official added that the decision on the renewal of the selection committee’s contract will be taken shortly so that the Twenty20 squad against South Africa (taking place November 13 and 15) is announced immediately.
“The selectors might get a fresh contract today after which the team will be announced.”
However, renewal of contracts for the rest of PCB employees may take time.
“The names will be evaluated after which fresh contracts will be offered. It is not necessary that all the employees will be retained.”
Another official confirmed that the employees whose contracts ended on October 31 were not in attendance yesterday after being conveyed of their contract’s expiry.
He added that the role of other members remains to be seen after the restoration of the IMC.
The IMC, led by Sethi also includes former PCB chairman Shahryar Khan, former cricketers Zaheer Abbas and Haroon Rasheed besides former team manager Naved Cheema.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2013.
The Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) orders to reinstate Najam Sethi as chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Interim Management Committee (IMC) has apparently and temporarily brought the game’s governing body back to life.
According to PCB lawyer Tafazzul Rizvi, Sethi is once again eligible to continue work as chairman of the body.
“The argument was made during the hearing that several important decisions were pending due to the chairman’s suspension,” Rizvi told The Express Tribune after the hearing.
Sethi will remain in charge until the conclusion of the ogoing court appeal in the next hearing set for November 7.
On Sunday, Sethi declared that the PCB was in ‘deep crisis’ and some extremely important issues remained unresolved — ranging from domestic to international affairs.
He added that the PCB lost the chance to earn $1.5 million after it had to defer talks of a return tour to South Africa which was to follow the on-going series in the UAE.
Sethi had also revealed that national selectors were among 89 employees who had to depart as there was no authority left to reinstate them following the expiry of their contracts on October 31.
‘South Africa tour still a possibility’
It was learnt that Sethi, after regaining powers, immediately started working as an interim chairman.
His first priority is to resume correspondence with Cricket South Africa (CSA) in an attempt to revive the chance of a return tour that was scrapped after his suspension.
The CSA offered the PCB $1.5 million to host Pakistan in the second-half of this month for a One-Day-International and Twenty20 series.
“Talks have been revived and the CSA has given a positive response,” an official told The Express Tribune.
“A minor change can be made in the schedule while the PCB might be forced to settle for a smaller amount compared to the one promised earlier.”
He said the decision regarding the tour was expected in a couple of days.
Meanwhile, the official added that the decision on the renewal of the selection committee’s contract will be taken shortly so that the Twenty20 squad against South Africa (taking place November 13 and 15) is announced immediately.
“The selectors might get a fresh contract today after which the team will be announced.”
However, renewal of contracts for the rest of PCB employees may take time.
“The names will be evaluated after which fresh contracts will be offered. It is not necessary that all the employees will be retained.”
Another official confirmed that the employees whose contracts ended on October 31 were not in attendance yesterday after being conveyed of their contract’s expiry.
He added that the role of other members remains to be seen after the restoration of the IMC.
The IMC, led by Sethi also includes former PCB chairman Shahryar Khan, former cricketers Zaheer Abbas and Haroon Rasheed besides former team manager Naved Cheema.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2013.