Prescriptions for the PCB

Get rid of Ijaz Butt, take away some of the chairman's powers and spread them around, hire a CEO answerable to the governing body, and bring in more prominent former cricketers

Asif Ali Zardari

Change must come. First Ijaz Butt must go. That is a valid and necessary objective. Very soon he will have been board chairman for two years, and a more damaging tenure in the PCB's history has not been seen. Had he any sense of duty, he would have resigned last year, after failing to provide security from terror to a visiting side. People go to jail for less in countries that function.

There are many other reasons for him to go, but uppermost now is practicality. The bald truth is that, because of him, world cricket will not work with Pakistan. India cannot be courted for political reasons. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were lost last year, when Butt pushed for the 2011 World Cup to be taken away from the subcontinent because Pakistan could not host matches. Australia will not forget so soon Butt's opposition to John Howard as an ICC president-elect. England were allies but are now likelier to see him in court.

In the grand scheme of things, the remaining boards are irrelevant in voting terms or financial benefits. Pakistan does not play at home. With England gone, they have one less neutral option (and the existing one in the Middle East is not great financially). The ICC task force to help bring cricket back to Pakistan (headed by the latest board chief Butt has picked a fight with) has made more progress than has been publicly revealed. It will not remain unaffected. The PCB is truly isolated and Butt is the sole cause of it.

What are the ways out of this logjam if Butt stays on? As the board head of a Full Member country, he is also an ICC director. That position has its own code of conduct and his unthinking remarks about another full member may well constitute a breach. A resolution can be put forward by other directors calling for his suspension. The way things are, that is likely to gain more votes than any possible resolution tabled by Butt to remove Haroon Lorgat; quite apart from what anyone feels about Lorgat, where precisely will support for Butt's motion come from?

But beyond the removal of Butt, deeper change must come. It cannot be that Butt goes and another like him arrives, of which there is every chance, given how administration has broadly deteriorated over the last decade. Something very basic has to change in the way the board is run.

What is the problem? In plain words it stems from the chairman and how he is appointed. He is thrust upon the game by the country's president, the patron of the board, and is answerable to him and appointable and sackable only by him. This method of appointment has been in place since the early 60s. At that time there was a good reason for it. Cricket made little money and needed state patronage and funding; the president's involvement was one way of ensuring that.

Over the years, it has come to need neither. The PCB is now a mixed beast; it is not wholly a state institution or under the control of the sports ministry, but the very nature of the chairman's appointment makes it state-influenced.

The PCB generates its own revenue and is the only sports body in the country that pays taxes. Yet because of presidential involvement, over the years, the board has essentially replicated a poorly functioning, politicised state behemoth. It represents the political winds of the day and is full of the inherent failings of precisely such a body. Through chance, capable men are often appointed: AH Kardar, Nur Khan, to an extent Shaharyar Khan, and times are good. If not, then a period of crisis it is. Subsequent appointments, below the chairman, are made not on merit but nepotism, and entirely randomly. The organisation becomes bloated, inefficient, potentially corrupt and eventually of great harm to its own purpose. The PCB is not alone in Pakistan to be like that.

	Over the last two years, everything has concentrated solely around Butt. When the ICC were trying to get in touch with him before releasing the statement about the Oval ODI, they didn't try anyone else at the PCB because they didn't know who the second-in-command is, or whether there was one

The most pressing and ideal change, then, is to delink this appointment and to not have the president as patron. Unfortunately, only the government itself has the power to do this, and no state in the world is eager to reduce its own sphere of influence. More realistic might be to hope for something from the current battle being fought over the chairman's powers in Islamabad's corridors of power. The board constitutionas it stands prescribes no limits on the chairman's powers and doesn't even specify them particularly well: the chairman has as much power as he wishes, all of it unchecked. This constitution, incidentally, is not the creation of Butt's administration, but of the two preceding his. Butt, though, wants more power. The sports ministry, among others, wants him to have less.

In this constitution, the chairman is also the chief executive officer. He sits on the governing board (the senate of the PCB) and on the general body (the board's parliament). He appoints up to eight members of the governing board (the strength of which varies from 12 to 15 members). He appoints the captain, he approves selection of squads. The senior-most officers report only to him.

In recent administrations there has been valuable delegation of responsibility. Shafqat Naghmi, Saleem Altaf, Abbas Zaidi, Ramiz Raja, all provided not only necessary alternative centres of power, policy and thinking, they were, in themselves, a check on the chairman. Over the last two years, though, everything has concentrated solely around Butt. High-ranking officials refer every query to him, unwilling to speak at all themselves. When the ICC was trying to get in touch with him last weekend before releasing the statement about the Oval ODI, they didn't try anyone else at the PCB because they didn't know who the second-in-command is, or whether there was one.

Quite simply, power must be taken away from the chairman and spread around. Ideally the chairman should be a symbolic head and a CEO should be the man to run the institution. He need not be a man of cricket but one of proven ability to govern. Alongside the CEO, the character of the governing board - or executive council as it has been and might yet be called again - needs to change; it must at once become more independent and powerful. This body must become the engine of cricket administration.

Currently it has the elected heads of regional associations, an elected representative from departments (that are first-class sides), a couple of ex-Test cricketers, an official of the government, the chairman and an unfilled provision for technocrats. To this should be added more prominent ex-cricketers. There is no dearth of former players (such as Iqbal Qasim or Aamer Sohail, to name but two) with developed ideas of how the game can be better governed. Prominent modern leaders of business and industry must be included, to reflect the game's status as business and its future direction as a profitable one. Fewer members should be appointed directly by the chairman. A chief executive should, in fact, be hired by, and answerable to, the governing board.

UAE Stadium

And though there is a provision for a general body in the constitution, a larger, more representative body of stakeholders to steer cricket in a broader sense - to ensure development and representation in areas like interior Sindh and Balochistan, for example - Butt's administration hasn't even formed one yet.

Elsewhere must be made the more generic changes that any such organisation looking to reform makes. Over the years, to no discernible enhancement of productivity, the PCB workforce has grown to nearly 800. Admittedly in Butt's time they have tried to bring it down, and even if the days when five people ran the board are gone, much flab has to be cut. Happily, among the lower levels of management there are enough who prove that while entire organisations may be rotten, all the people inside them aren't necessarily that way.

These are not vast structural changes. The board does not need, as was suggested at one point in the mid-90s, to go public and float shares. Some call still for an unclear privatisation, but it is unlikely that this can, or should even, be done: the representation of a national side should not be left to what is by nature a private entity.

In any case, the real rot has sunk in at the very top and the process must begin from there. There simply is no other option.

Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo

 Feeds: Osman Samiuddin

The Good Old Days

Javed Miandad

I was going to do an image of Younis Khan scoring one of his three hundred runs but could not bring myself to do it - afraid I might go to sleep mid picture. So I found myself day dreaming about the days when Pakistan were exciting. Who better to represent the good times, of ability crossed with manic depression, than Miandad himself. Jump man, jump.

Pakistan cricket team: Does lack of education instigate controversies?

Pakistan Cricket Team at Lords

Waqar Younis, the former strike bowler and current coach of the Pakistan cricket team has stressed that education at a very early age is extremely necessary as it would keep the cricket players away from allegations and controversies.

“Players should be trained and given proper education from the age of 16,” said Younis on his arrival in Lahore following the completion of the tour. “It’s very difficult to coach them at the international level if they are not trained. But if they are brought up with a proper education, it will definitely help them to stay away from controversies.”

But the question really is then, where should they be trained? There are hardly any institutions or academies that educate players. The National Academy, which was opened by General Tauqir Zia in Lahore, had courses which would groom the players, but not really educate them. By the end of the day, it all depends on the sort of background they come from and upbringing they have had.

Most of the cricket players that make it to the Pakistan cricket team come from very impoverished backgrounds, where their families are trying to survive and make ends meet. Therefore, education is not one of their priorities. In addition, most of the players belong to either villages or far-flung slums which do not have schools or proper educational institutions. It is just their passion for the game that gets them to the cricket team.

Once they reach the cricket team, they are suddenly exposed to a lot of money, innumerable social contacts, fame and popularity. The cricket players try to make the most of it, by making as much money as they can, and as quickly as possible and because of that the line between right and wrong becomes very fuzzy. If the players had gone through a rigorous education routine, they would have been able to stay away from the menace of match-fixing, spot-fixing and other such immoralities. They would have stayed in the right company.

But sometimes even this logic doesn’t hold true. If the allegations on the three cricket players are proved to be true, then even attainment of education cannot be of any help for a cricketer to get corrupt. The biggest example of this is that of the captain Salman Butt, who is relatively well-educated compared to his team mates. He is a graduate of Beaconhouse, Garden Town, Lahore. He comes from a very good background as well, where both his parents are educated and polished. If the allegations were true, then it would leave one in utter bewilderment as to why players coming from such solid background indulge in such activities.

Looking at the history of the match-fixing allegations on Pakistan, one would come across the names of some of the greatest players who have come from very educated backgrounds. For instance, Wasim Akram from Islamia College, Lahore, Waqar Younis who was educated in Sadiq Public School in Bahawalpur, the Pakistani College in Sharjah and the Government College in Vehari, and most shockingly, Saeed Anwar, who was a NED graduate and was planning to go to the United States for graduate studies before he joined international cricket.

So this reaffirms the notion that education is not the only factor that plays a role in moulding the character of a cricket player. There are quite a few aspects that need to be considered, the upbringing of the player, being the most pivotal. The personal values and ethics that the player has been taught by his parents, the moral grounds of the player, his integrity, making the important distinction between right and wrong, are some of the factors that play a role in the cricketer’s character building.

One can only hope that such values are also thoroughly taught in the schools, colleges and universities, and the players are able to attain this sort of education. The Pakistan Cricket Board should finance the education of the players as it would prove to be an asset later on for the team.

Can Pakistan team produce a consistent cricket captain?

Shahid Afridi and Ricky Ponting

Pakistan cricket changes captains like T-shirts. In the last one and a half year, Pakistan has changed 4 captains. The latest casualty has been Salman Butt.

It all started after the retirement of the former captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq. Shoaib Malik was named the captain of the team after Inzamams retirement. His reign includes an ODI series win against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. A runner-up trophy in ICC World T20 answered some of the unresolved cricketing questions regarding the future of Pakistan team. Later, Pakistan greeted South Africa at home. South Africa has been the best test side in the world, and Pakistan lost a 2 match test series 1-0. The ODI series was exciting and both the teams crafted a good show. It was 2-2 going into the 5^th ODI. Shoaib Akhtar coming back from the ban, ended up with the excellent figures of 4/43, and restricted South Africa to a modest total of 233. Pakistan, in chase of a meagre target started off quite well. The team needed to score 25 runs in 40 balls with 5 wickets in hand. However, the team couldn’t perform up to the mark, making certain shots that were questionable. It was not soon that the players seemed relentless to remove Shoaib Malik from the captaincy.

Following the players demands and lowly performances, he was exited afterwards, when Pakistan lost ODI series against Sri Lanka in 2009. Some of the team members went to the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman in order to file a complaint against Shoaib Malik. They did not want to play in his captaincy. Amir Sohail suggested to the cricket board not to support the rebels in this matter. He was of the view that if the board supported the rebellion, similar patterns would be observed again.
Cricket Board named Younis Khan, the next captain. It seemed as if things were settled, but a hurricane could be sensed. Younis led the side well. A smart captain with a brilliant brain, was tactically well-equipped to lead the side. Younis certainly looked the ultimate solution for the troubled team. He started well in the test series against Sri Lanka, scoring a triple hundred. Younis led the side to their first World T20 title. Pakistan, once again started to look like a giant force, gain back its vigour and gleam.

The victorious Pakistan went to Sri Lanka on a high. But alas! Players again started lobbying against Younis Khan. They again, never wanted to play under their aggressive captain. Many senior cricketers started to cook conspiracy against the Younis Khan. The adversaries played their tolls and Pakistan was hammered by Sri Lanka in the test series 2-0. Pakistan lost both the test matches that could have been won easily. Once again, some of the rough shots played were to be questioned.

Senior team players, Kamran Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik and some others took oath on Quran that they will be united against Younis Khan. Finally, they had their wish granted. The victorious, world T20 captain resigned from the job, refusing to tour down under.
Mohammad Yousuf, the senior pro was given this tedious job in New Zealand. Pakistan again lost from the position of strength. Chasing down a modest total of 251 runs, Pakistan was able to score 5/195, but then again they lost 5 wickets for 24 runs.

New Zealand tour then followed a disastrous Australian tour, where Pakistan lost every single game they played. Sydney test still is considered the biggest nightmare in the history of Pakistan cricket. Pakistan snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Kamran Akmal dropped five sitters and missed the simplest run-out.

An inquiry committee looked into the matter, and Captain Mohammad Yousuf was handed an indefinite ban. However, the players who pleaded guilty are still playing. Shahid Afridi was handed over the captaincy duties in all formats, despite of concerns about his test comeback. He stared nicely and took his team to World T20 semi- finals, however, Pakistan failed to qualify for the Asia cup finals.

Recently, Pakistan was to take on Australia in England. They posted a whitewash in T20 matches against Australia. It was a good start. Shahid Afridi then announced his retirement from test cricket after a thumping loss to Australia at Lord’s.

Salman Butt, the vice captain on that tour was handed over the captaincy. A 15-year-old jinx was ended at Leeds with Pakistan finally beating Australia. Afterwards, a victory at the Oval against England after two dismal performances was pleasing.

Spot-fixing allegations chased Pakistan’s three top cricketers at the centre of Lord’s. Salman Butt, the captain alongside his fellow members Asif and Amir were suspended from further cricket.

Now Shahid Afridi is hinting a Test comeback in a series against South Africa. It is to be kept in mind by the Pakistan cricket officials that the frequent switching of captains is having adverse affects on the team’s unity and its performance. It is yet to be seen who takes over the crown of Pakistan cricket team.

Meanwhile, Back At The Cricket ......

Simon Cook and Laurie Evans

...... Laurie Evans gets cleaned out by Simon Cook.

Despite all the angst and wailing currently taking place cricket will carry on. Those in charge had better get their shit together however, if they want to go with it.

Whether it is 20 overs on a Saturday morning in New Plymouth, tennis balls in the backyard in Melbourne or sticks and something round in Colombo or Karachi - people will play cricket. That gives cricket a strength that many other sports lack, as they have so many spectators and so few players. 

We will keep playing cricket we just won't pay as much attention to what the "stars" and their backers are doing.

Say What You Will About Pakistan Cricket ...

Shahid Afridi

... it is rarely ever dull these days.

With these irrepressible funsters at the helm the modern tradition of "what the hell is going to happen next?" is very likely to continue.

I can't wait.

Wish You Were Here/There

You have to admire some peoples determination to have fun, even at something as unexciting as the Champions League.