Amidst the whirlwind of leadership changes at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), acting chairman Shah Khawar has firmly refuted the notion that these administrative fluctuations are the root cause of the national team’s lackluster performances on the cricket pitch. In his recent interaction with the press, Khawar has put forward a narrative that shifts the focus from the board’s instability to other underlying issues affecting the team.
With earnest transparency, Khawar conveyed to media representatives, “I don’t think changes in the board in the last year have affected the team. It might be a minor reason, but there are other factors. Once the new board of governors is formed and the new chairman takes charge, they will look into this.” The PCB, over the past year, has witnessed several alterations in its hierarchy, raising concerns that these could be reflecting on the players’ morale and game.
However, Khawar was quick to clarify that the government and related ministries play no part in the inner workings of the cricket team’s affairs. He dispelled any misconceptions about governmental overreach, stating, “The patron in chief of the board, as per powers vested in him and laid out in the PCB constitution, has taken decisions and is authorized to do this.” This statement puts an emphasis on the structural autonomy that the PCB maintains, away from the influence of external bodies.
A significant point that was highlighted during the media briefing involved Pakistani cricketers’ growing fascination with white-ball league contracts. These leagues often attract players with lucrative offers, thereby influencing their priorities. Khawar shed light on this dilemma, citing the concerns of veteran player Mohammad Hafeez. “Players were more worried about white-ball league contracts than about their national team,” he explained.
Khawar voiced the necessity for a balance between the financial well-being of the players and their commitment to the national team, particularly those who are centrally contracted with the board. The complications of dual commitments have prompted a call for introspection within the cricket fraternity so that national duty is not overshadowed by private league engagements.
Added to this, Khawar shared an anecdote of an informal meeting where Hafeez communicated his worries to the acting chairman. “Hafeez was in the board offices and he wished to see me, so I met him with chief selector Wahab Riaz and the chief operating officer Salman Naseer, and he informally conveyed his concerns to us,” Khawar recounted. Additionally, Hafeez, whose contract had expired in mid-December, was also there to inquire about some pending dues from the board.
The challenges mentioned reflect the multiple fronts that the PCB needs to address: from managing the transitions in its leadership to dealing with modern cricket’s ever-increasing commercial aspect, which has given players a wide array of opportunities beyond national borders. Amidst such pressing complexities, the PCB acts as a custodian of not only the sport but also of the players’ welfare and loyalty to the green flag.
As Pakistan cricket fans juggle their hopes and grievances regarding the national team’s recent performances, the PCB acknowledges that there might be a multitude of reasons for the on-field outcomes. As the team prepares for future assignments, the board’s management is tasked with the crucial role of ensuring stability, support, and guidance so that the players can refocus on their primary allegiance and reignite their performance with vigor and national pride. The upcoming tenure and the decisions of the new board and chairman are awaited with bated breath by enthusiasts and stakeholders of cricket in Pakistan.
