Imran Khan endorses call for ‘overhaul’ of PCB, domestic circuit

Published April 27, 2015
“Since 80s I have been saying Pakistan's domestic cricket structure is deeply flawed and needs to be overhauled,” says Imran Khan. — AFP/File
“Since 80s I have been saying Pakistan's domestic cricket structure is deeply flawed and needs to be overhauled,” says Imran Khan. — AFP/File

KARACHI: Pakistan's legendary former captain Imran Khan has endorsed calls for overhaul of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the structure of domestic cricket in the country, saying things had ‘hit rock bottom’.

In a series of tweets lambasting the PCB, Imran also blamed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the mess in the cricket board and backed calls by former International Cricket Council's (ICC) chief, Pakistan's Ehsan Mani's suggestions on how cricket in the country could be saved.

“Since 80s I have been saying Pakistan's domestic cricket structure is deeply flawed [and] needs to be overhauled,” Imran tweeted.

“Pakistan cricket has hit rock bottom. PCB chief [Shahryar Khan] and ex-ICC chief [Ehsan Mani] are also pointing out that domestic structure needs overhauling,” he said.

The former captain blamed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for what he called the “mess in PCB”.

“Nawaz Sharif appointed a journalist with no cricket credentials,” he said.

Dismayed by Pakistan historic whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh, Mani, on Sunday, sounded the alarm bells over the current scenario and called for a major overhaul of the PCB.

“Professionals should be entrusted with the job of handling affairs of the Pakistan Cricket Board,” Mani said.

Mani said there was a desperate need to change the domestic setup and added if things continued as they were, Pakistan's future was bleak.

“I don’t want to pinpoint individuals. My only point of view is that the PCB is in need of a major overhaul ... We have to make a five-year plan besides focusing on school, college and club cricket.

“But, what is going on here? There has been no focus on domestic cricket ... Probably, we have been on top in dropping catches in this World Cup,” the former ICC chief said.

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