The writer is a former Sports In charge at The Express Tribune
On the administrative front, things are no different. From Najam Sethi’s appointment as acting PCB chairman and then caretaker chief to his recent post of head of an ‘Interim Management Committee’ (IMC), it has become clear that nothing seems to be in control. Sethi, for all practical purposes, continues to be the main man administering Pakistan cricket at the moment. Jolted by a court ruling every now and then, he continues to find a way out. His appointment by the prime minister, the defacto PCB patron, was followed by the dissolution of the governing board. The next development was the formation of the IMC, which saw Sethi become head once again, but this move was slapped by another court suspension before it was overturned. It has become clear that the PCB head will continue enjoying the backing of the prime minister, while the Islamabad High Court (IHC) carries on making it tough for him to do his job. According to a recent IHC ruling, certain conditions have to be met by those hoping to contest elections for the post of PCB chairman, the two most prominent being that candidates should be graduates and secondly, should have played Test or first class cricket, conditions which automatically disqualify the current PCB head.
For 65 years, the PCB was unable to frame a constitution. When it finally did make one, things backfired. What Zaka Ashraf, former PCB chairman who was handed suspension papers, did was wrong — ignoring major regional cricket associations during the election process for the post of chairman — but that has not been followed by anything better either with the PCB resorting to the old, traditional way of dealing with issues: the ever-popular adhoc system, which is what the IMC effectively is.
As a nation, we are content with taking things the old-fashioned way — on a day-to-day basis. Planning is as minimal as it gets and the term ‘temporary arrangement’ is always our ‘rational’ response. The road map, if any, is as blurry as the future is hazy. There is no sense of direction, and if there is, it is unacceptable to a particular segment that is, ironically, not even a stakeholder. The IMC, a fancier way of saying ad hoc, will run cricket, the team will continue performing and/or letting fans down on the field, who will keep suffering through the action and drama — on and off the field. It seems that for the fans there is absolutely no hope for the team lifting the 2015 World Cup. So, as I said earlier, if ever there was a need to find a silver lining, it is now.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (6)
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I am baffled at the cricket establishment in Pakistan. Najam Sethi, the cricket chief says that the selection committee members say that this the talent pool that they have, so they have no option but to select the players they have selected. The selectors are dishonest and the chief is dishonest as well. After the Pakistani Cricket team got a whipping from South Africa in UAE (Pakistan’s home grounds) How do they think that they will go and beat SA in SA! Can someone please tell me as to why not select players who are performing in domestic circuit and have average of 40s and 50s. Yes we have players who are constantly proving themselves. Why not give them a chance. This nation needs a revolution where every corrupt person bet it a mullah, a politician, a journalist, or whoever has been dishonest to the nation should be….. I give up!
One thing Munawar Hassan of JI can do: ask all Muslims in foreign teams (like Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir, etc) not to play against Pakistan. Of course he will be ignored, but our team will be confident that whenever they lose (which is most of the time), there is a good chance of the JI chief proclaiming that they are very good Muslims and will go to heaven.
Somebody was talking about the state of the economy and national confidence being linked to the performance of its sports.
For example, Pakistani team of the 80s and 90s was better on average than the Indian one, But, not any more. It perfectly coincides with the turn of the Economy and the national confidence level in both the countries.
There are exceptions to this rule, but is an interesting way to look at things.
Are we that naïve that we don't know why najam sethi keeps making his way back one way or another as head of pcb? What qualifications or experience does he have to do so? Could it be his umpiring on the night between may 11 and 12 that the govt cannot live without his brilliance as the pcb chief?
What'a country!
Dear All Let it be very clear that Ijaz Butt was the one who left no stone un-turned to destroy this national team. That was a golden period in which we came across so many scandles that humiliated our nation. Now it is the time for Najim Sathi to further play with this nation and the emotion of Pakistani nation. Let be very clear that Pakistan will not win a single game in their tour to South Africa
If there is one thing probably that unites all pakistanis is Cricket and I can see the disappoint in so many faces when it loses so many matches. But when you says: "The national squad finds new and innovative ways to let down fans", that is going too fat. The fact is that other teams are better and it is obvious that the best effort of Pakistani players is not good enough to beat others. And South Africa is a very good time. I personally admire how they play. The team includes all races and has likes of Amla and ex pakistani Imran Tahir who contribute to SA's success Personally I support SA team just as well. But I say things will improve for Pakistan. It needs matches in Pakistan to feel 'at home'. It is a shame terrorism has made it impossible for other teams to contemplate to play at our home turf. Putting the blame on Najam Sethi is not justified; he has limited choices.