PCB Chairman Najam Sethi. PHOTO: ONLINE
Sethi was speaking to the media at the Lahore Airport before he departed for Dubai to attend an ICC executive board meeting.
On February 8, ICC board had passed a wide-ranging and controversial shake-up of its governance and structure, effectively placing India, England and Australia in charge of the game.
The dominant trio, or the ‘Big Three’, seemed to be the big winners after the proposals were approved by the necessary eight out of 10 full members at a hastily convened ICC board meeting in Singapore.
In the revamped ICC, India – which contributes 80% of global revenues – and fellow powerhouses England and Australia have permanent seats on a new, five-member executive committee.
Speaking to the media today, Sethi said that all international tours till 2020 were decided with various countries except with India.
He added that for the promotion of cricket in Pakistan and for better relations between India and Pakistan, it was necessary for bilateral series to take place between the two countries.
World Twenty20 defeat
Referring to the resignation of cricketer Mohammad Hafeez as the Twenty20 captain after Pakistan's recent defeat in the WorldTwenty20, Sethi said that Hafeez had set a good example.
Taking the blame of Pakistan’s below par performance in World Twenty20, Mohammad Hafeez had announced to step down as skipper in shortest format of the game. He had also relinquished the post of vice-captain in ODIs and Tests.
Team Pakistan had faced withering criticism after their appalling show in the mega event, underway in Bangladesh, where the team failed to make it to the semi-finals for the first time in the history of World Twenty20.
Sethi also said that he will overview domestic cricket for the next four months after which a new captain as well as coaching staff will be selected, adding that the selections will be made on merit.
COMMENTS (48)
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@Omer Khan: ...and one is to believe that an extremely ethical country like Pakistan, that is held as a paragon of righteousness around the world, did the right thing and refused the offer, right? You must be hallucinating...to think that it was even offered in the first place...if it was, wouldn't it have come out then? Whoever it was that refused it would have become a hero with the likes of you..instead he just decided to give it all a miss, right?
Isn't Mr. Sethi a little late for an April Fool's joke?
During the period when Mr. Sethi was removed and Mr. Ashraf reinstated, Mr. Sethi did a 1 hour discussion on his show on this issue. He clearly stated in that show that it was a big surprise for everyone when this plan was unveiled at a meeting in Dubai. He also was bombastic in saying how hard he was lobbying with other members so that this plan is not approved and what a disaster this whole plan is and how India kept Pakistan in the dark. All this is on the record and I am sure on YouTube or DailyMotion. Now he has the gall to make this fabricated statement. What a complete disaster this guy is. To @adnan Siddiqui. I am not a IK supporter but a cricket supporter. . I would rather jump in freezing pond than vote for Taliban Khan.
What Sethi said was for local consumption only. After all, he has to maintain his H and D.
So pakistan is the smallest in Big four..
freind please waite for the reaction from icc. the statement has given by mr.sethi in the capacity of pcb chairmain.we ought to respect it rather than to trash it.
@Omer Khan: freind please waite for the reaction from icc. the statement has given by mr.sethi in the capacity of pcb chairmain.we ought to respect it rather than to trash it.
@Aziz: For people like Sethi, anything is substitutable with cash....
Mr. Sethi has no credibility. He has a strong distaste for truth. Narcissism at it best. It would be illogical that the Big 3 would offer to share their spoils with anyone else especially a country which cannot even host international teams and whose players are not allowed in IPL. They would offer the position to South Africa many times before they would offer the same to Pakistan. Mr. Sethi at his self serving best. What an embarrassment he is.
and i was offered President-ship of Pakistan.
Looking at the performance of our team, who would like to give a space to the sinking ship?
The Fact of the matter is ... if we do the analysis ... each team is going to get MORE guaranteed money of +100 USD mil than the previous 70-80 USD millions per year .....
But other members unnecessarily cowed down to accept terms of Big 3 and Pakistan did not give up anything but yet going to get more from next year!!! ...
So where was the loss ?
Actually other members must be breaking their heads on the wall for agreeing to this new changes !!!!
Had SL continued to abstain just like Pakistan did, even they would have been in a better position ... OR ......................... Were they offered the 'T20 Cup' ???? ... what's the truth? ... Eventually even this would come out!!!!
Dear Chairman,
Forget what could've been or should've been. India made their efforts in implementing this decision. By whatever means, good or bad, they achieved it themselves.
If you want to set an example, then be professional in your work and focus the abilities which have gotten you to where you are today towards getting Pakistan something close to what other nations are achieveing.
Quit the small talk.
Najam Sethi indirectly said thatt 'Our principles were on sale for a prize!!!' ... Mr Zaka Ashraf was better to analyse the position and actually he was on the way to take same stand like WI and NZ but it was Najam Sethi who made a hue and cry and and roped in ex-ICC chief Ehsan Mani to make a lot of noise and now Najam Sethi is making scapegoat of Zaka Ashraf ... But nothingremains hidden.
A feeble effort to divert attention from big loss in ICC T20 and his performance as PCB Chairman. Vilifying others is one technique to save your skin but after reading comments it clearly seems; he has failed.
The mouse said to the elephant, "the bridge is shaking because of our weight".
This is hilarious!! ....... Gradually there would be 'big five!!!' ... Even Sri Lanka would demand a seat!!! .... then big six .......... and finally there could have been an offer of BIG TEN !!
Hence there is absolutely no substance in the claim made by Mr Najam Sethi!!!!!
Its difficult to accept that Pakistan who does NOT contribute a cent would get such an offer, even other permanent members contribute more than Pakistan !!!!
By creating flutter, actually Najam Sethi is making the position even worse and actually it is putting all the other members nations like SA and SL in a fix!!!! ...
Anyways, There are many opponents to this idea of 'BIG 3' in India ... It wasn't needed in fact and actually 'fixing' happening in such a systematic manner in India (latest example being 'final of T20 world cup 2014') people are fed up with it.
Sunny (who is one of those instrumental in introducing strategic timeout!!!) being made the caretaker chief for coming IPL event like a "cat made to guard the milk!!!"
But its difficult to speak against big fish!!!!!
Admin .... Please do not filter out this post. Thanks
This is penchar # 36!
Shame on you Mr. Sethi. Please think for this country and keep your difrences aside.
Yes ! Hafeez has set up a good example ! When will Mr. 35 puncture's set up his example ?? Is he there to fix 36 puncture.
Now he needs to be shown the exit door from the Supreme Court.
Specialize people for specialized Jobs !!!!
We are dying to play with India and India is bent upon destroying our cricket. Mr. Sethi was criticizing everyone and trying to be genius and now doing the same thing. He should focus on eliminating the gamblers from the team, improve domestic cricket and select players on merit. If he cannot do that then hand over the team to sri lankan board or banned the cricket to save the nation from continous anguish.
Sethi is lying. Zakat was reinstated for a few days only. Sethi should stop playing politics and concentrate on cricket.
Still dreaming dreams of grandeur. Anyone have any confidence in Pakistani cricket with such incompetents at the helm?
Is Pakistan deserve to be in BIG 4? Mr. Sethi stop blaming other person for the loss and bad performance.
Sethi VS Zaka. See the difference in mentality. While one stood up for principles, the other is a plain opportunist. Mr. Sethi, the big three don't need a puncture fixer !!!
I think I have enough of laughter today after reading this news
@Rigel Butterscotch: Even the permanent seat at UN is not far away for India. lol
Such a lie
Mr. Sethi you have a good sense of humor. Much appreciated:D
Even If this is true, we are totally against Big either its 3 or 4. This decision of Big is not good for the cricket, so there is no point of being a part of it. Cricket is getting worse day by day, as it use to be a Gentlemen game in the past.
Najam Sethi is worthless for this post of Chairman.
When you appoint such a critical post just as a reward, such cynical statements shouldn't be a surprise
All what I know is Pakistan lost in ICC WC. Big 3 or Big 4 not an issue for us. You are diverting our attention from your the real issue.
Are we Naïve? Pakistani players are not allowed to play in IPL and Pakistan board offer Lions share in ICC revenue. He is telling after 3 months of BIG3 fiasco. Might be his Chirya told him bit late. Otherwise, everybody has idea about it
@A-No.1:
He heard it from a little birdie.
Zaka Ashraf was right in every way to reject the offer. It was a principled stand. It was like giving the dog a bone
Dear Sethi ! In a meeting please don't discuss about Nawaz Sharif good will, because you are a lame guy bought from no where as a chairman and who does not even know what is cricket.
Look at SriLanka Management.
Jayasuria selector with lots of sincerity and experience likewise in Pakistan ? Chaminda Vaas bowling coach with lots of sincerity and experience likewise in Pakistan ? Atapattu batting coach with lots of sincerity and experience likewise in Pakistan ?
Why you want to do what others doing... why you do something yourself rather the whole Pakistan is blaming to each other never the less its a politician or You or anybody.
another puncture fixing!
Mr. Sethi,
Thanks for breaking the news 2-3 months after the event. Can you please move on from the big-3 debate and do something about what you are supposed to!
Now that looks like a big lie to me. Mr. Sethi never mentioned this story before. Besides PCB is not in a position to be called BIG in any way.
Sethi said that Hafeez had set a good example.
If you think that is the case then hope you follow him and resign too.
Yes Sethi Sahab. We agree with your statement. And I believe that Shoaib Malik was also selected based on this past performances. Right?
But I do not understand this convoluted logic!
How come something that was wrong in principle and detrimental to Pakistan would have become right and beneficial if Pakistan joined the BIG THREE?
At least so far, as I understand, Pakistan voiced its opposition on the basis of a "principle". I presume the "principle" is substitutable with cash.
If any such offer was made, it was correct of PCB to refuse. As a matter of principle, the stance is that any sort of "Big n lobbying" is against the true spirit of sport. These are matters of high moral character, understood by few...shown by even fewer.
What proof do you have Mr Sethi? Please share it. Pakistans contribution to ICC is miniscule. On what basis would the big three let Pakistan become fourth permanent member?
India couldn't have permanent seat on UN Security Council, so they got a toy "permanent seat" on ICC.
That has to satisfy their obsession of "permanent seat" because they aren't getting the real thing.
Look who is talking .. :D