ICC reforms: We will not compromise on Pakistan cricket: Ashraf

PCB chief vows to reach decision on ‘Big Three’ proposal in GB meeting today.

KARACHI:

Amid uncertainty on its own fate, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Governing Board (GB) will assemble on Monday to decide its stance on the proposal by the ‘Big Three’, deemed vital for the future of the game in the country.

PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf has promised that the decision will be taken in the best interest of national cricket.

The Pakistan board, along with Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), opposed the reforms proposal by the India, England and Australia cricket boards, who are vying for control over the International Cricket Council (ICC).

With the rest of the major cricket bodies on board, the ‘Big Three’ will need only one vote from the ‘Opposing Three’ at the ICC meeting on February 8 in Singapore, where the constitutional change in the global governing body is expected to be made.

PCB’s governors to decide on proposal today

Meanwhile, the PCB opted to involve only its board of governors (governing body), which mainly comprises of members from smaller regions to seek a consensus on the position paper.

It was learned that the PCB did not even seek advice from former ICC president Ehsan Mani, whose detailed letter against the draft proposal was appreciated and undersigned by various former cricketers and ex-administrators.

However, Ashraf defended his decision to rely on the governing body only.

“It is the constitutional way,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune.

“The governing board is authorised to take a decision. We are also seeking a meeting with our Patron Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in this regard.

“As far as other stakeholders are concerned, we are taking their input in private and are also getting suggestions from their media statements.”

Ashraf reiterated that he had won the initial battle with the powerful cricket boards by successfully pushing for a deferral.

“We got the decision postponed in the last ICC meeting. I now promise that I will ensure our interest and will not compromise on Pakistan cricket. We will take a decision accordingly [in Monday’s meeting].”

The ‘Big Three’ are promising lucrative offers to lure the opposing boards, but pundits have warned the PCB of negative repercussions in the longer run, in view of experiences with the Indian board that overlooked many commitments in the past.

“We are aware of that and we will take a decision that will have long-term benefits for our cricket,” he said.

Ashraf calls for stability in board

Ashraf also urged the need for stability in Pakistan’s cricket as a sword hangs on his fate as the chairman, following a recent Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) on the Prime Minister’s appointment as PCB’s Patron.

The reinstatement of the Interim Management Committee (in one form or the other) that became defunct after Islamabad’s High Court restored Ashraf is expected to follow the SRO.

“It [the ‘Big Three’ proposal] is a very sensitive matter for the future of Pakistan cricket. There is a need for stability in the PCB so that it can take the right decisions,” he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd,  2014.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.