KARACHI, June 13: Former Pakistan captain and ex-national coach Javed Miandad on Wednesday criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to hold a series of meetings at the holiday resort of Bhurban from June 16 to 19.

Miandad, known for his forthright comments, minced no words in saying that the PCB officials have made a habit of cashing in such opportunities.

The PCB intends to discuss, pertaining from the appointment of a new Pakistan coach to restructuring the domestic cricket set-up, during the ad hoc committee meeting.

No less than 55 representatives of regional, district associations and departments have been invited for a special meeting during the four-day excursion.

“It’s a sort of joyride for the PCB officials and for all those who are invited to give suggestions on domestic cricket,” said Miandad when asked about whether he would attend the moot and give his advice as to how the domestic set-up should be restructured.

“In my view this is nothing short of a bribe offered by the PCB. Why spend millions of rupees when you could save nearly 70 percent of the expenses by holding the same meetings at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore,” he questioned. “What is the purpose of the multi-million NCA facilities where there is accommodation as well as halls to hold such meetings?

“What’s going to eventually happen now is that every Tom, Dick and Harry will go and enjoy the scenic surroundings of Bhurban. Mind you, it is not easy to earn money these days. This is sheer wastage of national wealth,” Miandad emphasised.He reiterated that since there is no accountability, no constitution and no planning in the PCB, people at the helm of affairs are destroying everything.

“I think all former cricketers should have vetoed the idea of holding the meetings in Bhurban considering that we all are citizens of a developing nation. Look at the cost of airfare, hotel rooms and other perks. This could have been avoided easily.

“There are no examples in the history of Pakistan cricket where meetings were held at holiday resorts and millions of rupees spent like water.The batting legend, who turned 50 on Tuesday and scored a Pakistan record 8832 runs in 124 Tests and another 7381 in 233 One-day Internationals during an illustrious career that spanned from 1975 to 1996, called upon President General Pervez Musharraf to take notice of PCB’s current approach.

“It’s high time that General Musharraf, who is the Patron of the PCB, should interfere and stop this. Just look at India, they also lost in the World Cup but they still have their house in order. I can’t understand the motive of holding a meeting on domestic cricket. Is it just for taking suggestions? This could have been done through mail,” Miandad remarked.

Miandad, who boycotted the one-day seminar on domestic cricket in Lahore, held last November, has not yet been extended invitation to the Bhurban meeting.

“And even If they intend to invite me again, I shall not think twice over it and politely decline the invitation since to me it is nothing more than wastage of time and, more importantly, money,” Miandad concluded.

On June 18 and 19 the 2011 World Cup organising committee’s first meeting will be held in Bhurban with the officials of Indian, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi boards.