ISLAMABAD, July 19: There were no fireworks, just some hard talk on Monday in the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Sports that continued its probe into the affairs of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
and the causes of the national team's defeat against India in the recent home series.
Ramiz Raja, the PCB chief executive, wasn't there so it was Shaharyar M. Khan, the chairman, who had to answer all the questions. Chief selector Wasim Bari was a silent spectator.
Although Mr Khan fared well, he was cornered by Senator Muhammad Enver Baig and had to admit that PCB treasurer Muhammad Naeem had resigned. "His resignation is with me but I have taken no action."
The PCB chief first said that Naeem had withdrawn his resignation. But when pressed by Mr Baig, who asked if the letter of withdrawal had been given in writing by the treasurer, he gave up.
The chairman of the committee, Senator Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry, also confronted Mr Khan on the subject of PCB constitution. A few members were upset when Mr Khan appeared reluctant to give a cut off date for presenting the new constitution.
"The constitution commission has its own schedule of working," he said. "Come rain, hail or storm, we want a cut off date," Mr Baig demanded which led to Mr Khan agreeing to give a final date after talking to Justice Karamat Bandhari.
The cricket managers submitted their audit reports for the years 2002 and 2003 and were asked to bring in all audited accounts ever since ad hoc arrangement was imposed.
Besides, Mr Khan was told to give all his answers to questions posed in the last meeting and the latest one in detail. The senators, including Kamil Ali Agha, felt that PCB's answers to their questions were not addressed properly and they needed more explanations.
The PCB chairman promised to cover both meetings in detail and send in his answers to the committee by July 28. Mr Khan while admitting that they made mistakes during the hurriedly organised India series, told the committee that the PCB planned to conduct an audit of accounts.
"The audit will also cover ticketing," he said. He also agreed to prepare a strategy paper indicating the Board's plans for the future. Rais Munir Ahmed, minister for sports, appreciated Mr Khan for admitting faults and said he fully supported his plans.
Earlier, the senators gave suggestions for the improvement of cricket that ranged from making the stadium spectator-friendly, training of boys and girls in schools, fair selection and increasing number of analysts with the national team.
Senator Zafar Iqbal said that ad-hocism in the PCB should end and welcomed all the suggestions made by the committee. He announced that the next meeting of the committee will be held on Aug 10, again in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Senator Baig handed over a four-page questionnaire to the PCB officials seeking answers from Mr Khan, Ramiz and Bari on a host of issues. The paper includes questions on why no action had been taken against Ramiz for doing commentary, what were the salaries and perks being given to the foreign coaches and experts recently hired and the chairman's achievements since his appointment.
