PCB Changes some key officials

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently made changes in some vital appointments in its organization as well as in the composition of various committees.The Selection Committee being the most important, the change of its members has naturally caused a lot of apprehension in the press and public. While Selectors' Chairman Wasim Bari continues to hold the job, Sikander Bakht and Shafiq Ahmed have replaced the other two members Iqbal Qasim and Ehteshamuddin.

There is no doubt that the selectors have a vast sphere of activity. Not only are they required to constantly watch the national players and monitor their performance, they also scan the potential of youngsters in the pipeline to find suitable replacements for the retiring, sick, physically unfit and out of form players. They also identify the talent and capabilities of the upcoming youngsters in the country to chalk out a future for them in the game. The nature of their job and the mandate requires the selectors to have a long tenure but a mid-way change dictated by the circumstances is not uncommon.

The responsibility of good or bad selection lies mainly on Chairman of the Selection Committee. It is, therefore, baffling that while the Chairman is still there other members have been shown the door. The difference of opinion is a healthy sign and should be allowed to prosper rather than being crushed, especially when it relates to factors like the composition of a team and the future of players. A clash of opinions between the selectors is not possible if they honestly evaluate the performance, form and fitness of players and remain above the element of personal `likes and dislikes'.

However, press reports on the subject claim that the two selectors objected to coach Javed Miandad's interference in selection matters. Unquestionably, any observer of the game would consider Miandad as a great player of his time with immense knowledge of the game and a highly competent strategist. As a former captain and now coach of the Pakistan team, he is supposed to know the potential of each player and his suitability for different matches more than anyone else. There should thus be no question of any resentment about his presence in the selection committee meeting or for that matter contributing towards team selection.

As for the manager, Brig (Rtd) Kh. Nasir held the coveted appointment for almost a year, managing the affairs of the team to the best of his ability. There are no hard and fast rules about the appointment of managers. They are appointed both on long as well as short-term basis depending on the situation. The appointment of Faqir Aizazuddin, not an outstanding player of his times as Manager of the Pakistan team for the forthcoming tours of New Zealand and Sharjah is, however, surprising.

Similar is the case with the appointment of Sajid Nabi Malik a virtually unknown, as manager of the Pakistan under-17 team. A manager's appointment for teams touring abroad is a prized one and the prize should only be awarded to people having served cricket in some capacity, made tangible contribution to the game or to highly distinguished persons.

Surprisingly, some of the former players refused to accept the appointments offered them. Former spinner Iqbal Qasim after having been relieved as a selector was asked to take over as Development Officer of the Board but declined. Similarly, the legendary Abdul Qadir also refused to become a selector for the Under-17 team. Former opening batsman Shoaib Mohammad also declined a similar appointment but accepted being the Coach of the Under-17 team. To avoid such negative reflections on the administration, it is imperative that a positive consent of the players and others tipped for various assignments is taken before notifying their appointments.

Benefits by the CBFS

It was great on the part of Majid Khan, a former Captain of Pakistan and till recently Chief Executive of PCB to decline the financial benefit offered to him by the Cricketers Benefit Fund Society (CBFS), Sharjah. I offer him overwhelming support as reportedly, he has done so on the plea that such a benefit should go to those past cricketers who are less privileged financially. The well to do players can easily be honoured with the award of medals and trophies rather than financial rewards.

One must appreciate the CBFS for its meritorious service to the game by dishing out financial benefit to players, apart from promoting the game. It is a noble act rarely performed by the Cricket Boards themselves for their respective players. As an admirer of the scheme I, suggest that the CBFS review its policy. Rather than restricting the benefit to players, it should expand the sphere to accommodate the umpires, coaches, organizers, officials and others who spend a lifetime serving the game either in an honorary capacity or for very low wages. Is not it strange that a player with only one test appearance and little contribution to the game is rewarded lavishly as against others who serve cricket, spend their time and energy for years for the love of it and leave the field with no benefit or recognition?

India's Change of Heart

The persuasion cum condemnation of the Indian government for breaking cricket ties with Pakistan has at last succeeded in making a dent in its hard line policy. Fearing complete isolation, they have brought some flexibility in their attitude by agreeing to participate in the ICC Under-17's Asia Cup Tournament being held in Bangladesh, February 15-25. Though teams from India and Pakistan are placed in different pools, they are quite likely to clash in the semi finals/finals.

It is heartening that India is also participating in the One-Day International Tournament being held at Sharjah in April, the other participants being Pakistan and Sri Lanka. With each team playing the other twice, archrivals India and Pakistan shall vie to defeat each other in their matches in April. As a result of the controversy about India refusing to play against Pakistan that hit the cricket world like a storm, the exciting contests between them at Sharjah are likely to draw huge audiences all over the cricket world.

India's reluctance surfaced for the first time when they became instrumental in the cancellation of Sahara cup at Toronto last year, refusing to participate in the tournament. It was followed by a similar refusal to send its team for the ICC Under-17 Tournament held in Pakistan last year and turning down another invitation to play a tri-nation series with Pakistan in Malaysia earlier this month. The climax was when they refused to send the team to Pakistan for a full test and one-day series scheduled for Jan-Feb 2001. The change of heart indicates that India in now quite willing to play Pakistan on neutral grounds while sending the team to Pakistan looks like more of a prestige point.

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