Miandad’s lean patch meets predictable end

Costly but powerless Director General worked without clear mandate.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s greatest Test batsman and one of the most animated coaches ever Javed Miandad’s four year stint as the Director General of the cricket board would be remembered as arguably his most barren association with the game.

Miandad appointed at the high profile post during Ijaz Butt’s reign as chairman in 2009 called time to his tenure by submitting his resignation to the incumbent Chairman Najam Sethi last week.

Throughout his run the batting great took a backseat and other than the odd training camp for batsmen and induction in cricket and coach hunt committees, Miandad was rarely seen contributing.

Sethi is yet to accept the resignation and a PCB press release stated that ‘the matter will be discussed during the next meeting of the management committee.’ But officials in the board are reportedly not keen on carrying the ‘burden’ of the legendary batsman anymore.

An official close to the matter told The Expres Tribune that Miandad was keen on playing a prominent role in the board, and was given an assurance in this regard by Zaka Ashraf but his sacking as chairman was a big setback for his plans.

“At the same time Miandad was a very costly resource for the board, he was drawing a hefty package inclusive of perks, besides using an expensive car as part of the deal

A man of his stature was ideal for improving the state of cricket in the country, but he was interested more in playing a decisive role in various tasks and wanted power”.

On the other hand, in various interviews since stepping down, the 56 year-old has stated that he has no personal grudge against anyone and only wants to help improve the state of the game in the country.

Even without a role in PCB Miandad declared that he has the stature and experience to deliver at various levels.

Published in The Expres Tribune, February 17^th, 2014.

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