KARACHI: While taking note of numerous changes in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), former board official Wasim Bari has urged the Najam Sethi-led regime to follow a policy of zero-tolerance towards corruption which has engulfed world cricket in recent years.

Regarded as one of the best wicket-keepers in the world during his playing days (1967 to 1984), Bari said on Saturday the PCB needs to operate with a clear mindset for the betterment of cricket, within and outside Pakistan.

“My firm belief is that Pakistan’s cricketing interests should be safeguarded at every forum. This is one sport which is not only passionately played but followed by the masses,” Bari said in an exclusive interview with Dawn.

“Playing with the sentiments of the majority [of cricket followers] is unwarranted and unfair. Over the years Pakistan cricket has been riddled by a spate of controversies, both on and off the field.

“Administratively speaking, the board has not acted swiftly on several occasions. If those at the helm of affairs had taken prompt action in the spot-fixing saga instead of letting the ICC intervene to penalise the culprits involved, the PCB would have earned a lot of plaudits from everyone.”

Bari, a former national skipper, called for transparency in the day-to-day affairs of the PCB.

“This is the way to move forward. Without being prejudiced the board can function much more smoothly if they are willing to set things in right perspective. The administrators in different tiers should be honest and forthcoming when making important decisions,” he advised.

“The corrupt elements must not only be exposed but punished too, to set examples for others. If the house is in order and everyone contributing as they should, then nobody would raise a finger. This philosophy applies to every management in every other organisation.”

Bari, 66, said the PCB didn’t play their cards properly regarding the plans to restructure the International Cricket Council (ICC) emerged and were caught in a Catch-22 situation.

“The restructuring of the ICC isn’t surprising to me. For long England and Australia had been in dominating position. But India’s influence as the biggest money-spinner for the ICC was decisive. Hence the ‘Big Three’ taking the steering wheel of the global body in their own hands was imminent,” Bari stressed.

“But the PCB took things for granted. Instead of being in a bargaining position, the board officials had to compromise on issues relating to finances and securing bilateral series against fellow members. They didn’t get the slice of cake they were hoping for in the first place.

“When one after another those who opposed the ‘Big Three’ plans to take control of the ICC started to side with them, the PCB was left with no choice but to throw in the towel to avoid the looming prospects of being completely isolated.”

Bari, while expressing his indignation at the formation of the national selection committee, said the PCB had taken a step previously unheard of.

“Never in my life I had seen so many selectors in one committee, and three of them come from one city, in addition to four on the junior committee. Add to that the co-opted roles of the head coach and captain and the influence of board chairman [since he has to approve the selections] you have an army of people picking the teams,” Bari commented.

“In contrast, just look at Australia. They have only three selectors plus head coach acting as the co-opted member of the panel. [New chairman of selectors] Rod Marsh may be 66 but he’s sharp in the mind and has been a talent-spotter since retiring as a player.

“Trevor Hohns have served as a chief selector for 10 years and that’s a lot of experience and then there is Mark Waugh from the modern generation to give his inputs along with head coach Darren Lehmann. [Australian Test and ODI captain] Michael Clarke, mind you, has no part to play in the selection matters nor does [T20 skipper] George Bailey.”

Bari, who had served as chief selector on several occasions, said Mohsin Khan should have been given the opportunity to become Pakistan’s head coach instead of Moin Khan when Dav Whatmore left earlier this year.

“I thought Mohsin did fantastically well during his brief tenure. Beating England [Test cricket’s top team at the time] was a landmark feat in my view after the troubles of 2010. Mohsin’s credentials merited a second chance but Moin was given the charge for the Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 despite the fact that he had no coaching experience at the international level before those events,” Bari contended.

“And then Mohsin was snubbed again when the job was advertised recently. The entire process was not the business practice followed by the board and which left a huge question mark on its transparency.”

Bari advised the PCB to be consistent in their policies relating to team selections. “As regards the future selection strategy, the board should follow a policy of pick and stick instead of reacting to setbacks on the field of play. This way our resources will not be wasted,” Bari concluded.