The Asia Cup will be held from February 24 to March 7 while the ICC World Twenty20 will be played from March 16 to April 6. PHOTO: ESPNCRICINFO
The IMC, which is governing PCB’s affairs, held its third meeting at the board’s headquarters in Lahore on Thursday. Pakistan’s participation in the Bangladesh tournaments was the top agenda of the meeting that was chaired by IMC chairman Najam Sethi.
Apart from IMC members Shaharyar Khan, Naveed Akram Cheema, Zaheer Abbas and Haroon Rashid, the other attendees of the meeting included Subhan Ahmad (chief operating officer PCB), Badar Manzoor Khan (chief financial officer PCB) and Salman Naseer (secretary to the IMC).
The PCB is concerned about the safety of the players as anti-Pakistan sentiments continue to flare in Bangladesh in the aftermath of a resolution passed in the National Assembly against the hanging of a Jamaat-e-Islami leader last month.
“The committee deliberated on the current political situation in Bangladesh,” read a PCB statement.
“The IMC agreed to consult International Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in this matter and will also seek advice from the government.”
Speaking to The Express Tribune, an IMC member said that the possibility of Pakistan’s withdrawal from the tournaments cannot be ruled out.
“If the situation continues in Bangladesh and there will be no switch in the venue, then we reserve the right to take any decision in the best interest of our cricketers.
“However, we are hoping that the situation will improve.”
He added that the PCB will raise the matter at the ACC meeting this week in Colombo and will also consult the ICC later this month.
The Asia Cup will be held from February 24 to March 7 while the ICC World Twenty20 will be played from March 16 to April 6.
‘No discussion over new coach’
Prior to the meeting, it was speculated that the IMC may take a decision on a new Pakistan coach to replace Dav Whatmore who will leave in February.
However, the member informed that the issue of a replacement coach for the Australian was not raised during the meeting.
“No long term issues were raised because of the pending court case.”
Besides former national coaches Waqar Younis and Mohsin Khan, Pakistan team’s current manager Moin Khan is reportedly in the running for the coveted job.
Meanwhile, the IMC was also briefed on the current status regarding the litigation in Islamabad High Court (IHC). A divisional bench of the IHC is expected to announce a verdict on the future of the current board regime in the next few days. Additionally, the PCB endorsed the decision of renewal of employees’ contracts for one month till January 31, 2014.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2014.
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