Pakistan was offered to be part of Big Four, claims Najam Sethi
Ex-PCB chief Zaka Ashraf refused the offer, which was detrimental to the country: PCB Chairman Najam Sethi.
PCB Chairman Najam Sethi. PHOTO: ONLINE
LAHORE:
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi alleged that the Big Three of the International Cricket Council (ICC) had invited Pakistan to be part of a Big Four but the administration under former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf refused the offer, to the detriment of the country, Express News reported on Monday.
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.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi alleged that the Big Three of the International Cricket Council (ICC) had invited Pakistan to be part of a Big Four but the administration under former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf refused the offer, to the detriment of the country, Express News reported on Monday.
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.